Black Day for Bangladesh’s Media: Pro-July Journalists Allegedly Forced Out of Their Jobs

Dhaka: The President of DUCSU, Md Abu Shadik Kayem, has alleged that on the very first day of Bangladesh’s new government, a conspiracy was carried out to forcibly dismiss five journalists due to their pro-July stance.

In a statement posted at 1:00 am on February 19 on his verified Facebook page, he claimed that the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed, along with Ekhon Television journalists Mahmud Rakib, Mujahid Shuvo, Md Belayet Hossain, and Mohammad Azharuzzaman, were targeted for forced termination.

According to the DUCSU president, the journalists’ only “offence” was their support for the July movement and their active role in promoting the nine-point agenda during the July 24 uprising. He stated that, in the course of events, some journalists were forcibly removed from their offices, while others were denied entry to their workplace premises.

Condemning the incident in strong terms, Md Abu Shadik Kayem said, “No oppression against anyone can be justified. The freedom of journalists to work, the freedom of the media, and democratic rights must be ensured.”

He also urged the Information and Broadcasting Minister of the BNP-led government, elected through what he described as the “farce election” of February 12, as well as the heads of the concerned media organizations, to take immediate steps to stop discrimination and harassment against journalists.

The allegations have sparked renewed criticism and protests across social and professional circles, with journalists’ organizations and human rights activists closely monitoring the situation.