Dhaka Correspondent:
A huge journalist rally and human chain was held in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka today to demand the implementation of the 14-point demands announced to protect the professional rights, dignity and ensure state security of journalists. Thousands of journalists from all over the country spontaneously participated in this program, organized jointly by the Bangladesh Mofusal Journalists Forum (BMSF) and the National Journalists Association.
The rally was presided over by Ahmed Abu Zafar, Central President of the Bangladesh Mofusal Journalists Forum (BMSF), and the main speaker was the organization’s General Secretary Shibli Sadiq Khan. Syed Khairul Islam, Central Co-Propaganda Secretary of the BMSF, spoke as a special guest.
Thousands of journalist brothers and sisters from the district and upazila levels of the country, including the leaders of the Central Executive Council of the National Journalists Association, were also present in solidarity.
The speakers in the human chain raised 14 specific demands for the professional security of journalists. Notable among the demands are:
The government to prepare a list of professional journalists across the country and provide them with ID numbers.
Enact a timely law to stop journalist torture.
Ensure salaries and allowances of district and upazila representatives as per the 9th Wage Board.
The media concerned should bear the legal expenses of journalists who are tortured in their professional work.
Amendment of the Digital Security Act and not arresting journalists before investigation.
The speakers at the rally said, “Although journalists work for the welfare of the country and the nation, they are neglected and tortured in many ways today. Journalism, especially at the district level, has become very risky.” The leaders warned that if these 14-point demands are not accepted immediately, a more stringent and continuous street movement will be launched with journalists from all over the country.
After the rally, a protest procession started from the Press Club premises and circled important roads. The streets were filled with slogans like ‘Build a peaceful future’ and ‘Let all conspiracies against journalists end’.