Indiscriminate cases against journos an obstacle to freedom of expression: Law Reporters Forum
The forum urged authorities to thoroughly investigate allegations before filing cases and to dismiss those that lack sufficient evidence
The Law Reporters Forum (LRF), a group of journalists covering in law, justice, and human rights, has expressed concern over the increasing number of cases filed against journalists.
In a statement issued today (15 September), the organisation said these indiscriminate cases hinder the establishment of the rule of law and the freedom of expression.
Hasan Jabed, acting president of LRF, and Moniruzzaman Mission, general secretary, criticised the recent trend of filing cases against journalists without specific charges.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The LRF denounced the cases filed against journalists including its members Samakal's senior reporter Abu Saleh Roni and Daily Mukhapatra editor Sheikh Muhammad Jamal Hossain.
The statement also condemned the murder cases filed against journalists without credible allegations.
The LRF emphasised that such cases are detrimental to the rule of law and independent journalism.
The forum urged authorities to thoroughly investigate allegations before filing cases and to dismiss those that lack evidence.
In a recent case filed with Jatrabari Police Station on 4 September, 21 journalists were sued along with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. So far, a total of 84 journalists have been charged with murder in various cases.
Other organisations, including the Editors' Council, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ), Crime Reporters Association (CRAB), Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have also expressed their concerns over the indiscriminate filing of cases against journalists.
