‘Journalists for Justice’ floated to ensure rights of oppressed journalists
J for J Convener Kazi Jasin said a list will be compiled of journalists who have been tortured and harassed in Bangladesh over the past 15 years
A new rights body, Journalists for Justice (J for J), has been established to seek justice for journalists who were oppressed or victimised by the ousted government.
J for J Convener Kazi Jasin announced the journey of the organisation at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) today (12 September).
Speaking at the press conference, Kazi Jasin said a list will be compiled of journalists who have been tortured and harassed in Bangladesh over the past 15 years.
"For the past two decades, many journalists and news workers have been subjected to various forms of torture and harassment in Bangladesh. But the unfortunate thing is that nobody knows the actual number of the journalists who were oppressed in the last 15 years," she said.
Not only the journalists, even their family members faced lawsuits, attacks and harassment, she said, adding that many journalists were forced to go abroad to escape the persecution that came upon them due to their professional duties.
The organisation's member Jahed Chowdhury said the forum will constantly focus on the incidents of harassment of journalists in the past years.
"We will be vocal about getting compensation for the journalists who lost their job and we will work tirelessly with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the oppressed journalists get due justice," he said.