Editors demand lifting of Amar Desh ban

Dhaka, June 5 (bdnews24.com) – Editors of the national dailies have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ban on Amar Desh, a Bengali daily, and release of its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.

In a statement issuedon Saturday, they also condemned the government action and expressed their grave concern over the arrest of Mahmudur.

The statement reads: "The government's initiative is a threat to the flow of information and freedom of expression."

"The decision to shut the newspaper will convey a negative message to the outside world about the country's democratic values and culture". it added.

They also commented that it would be considered as an obstacle to development within the country.

The editors mentioned that this step would also make nearly 700 permanent and part-time journalists and workers jobless which will bring great sufferings to their families.

The statement was signed by the editors of Natun Diganta, Jai Jai Din, The Independent, The News Today, Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Samakal, The Bangladesh Observer, Daily Naya Diganta, They Daily Sangram, The Financial Express, The Daily Inqilab, The Daily Manabzamin, Bangladesh Protidin, bdnews24.com, New Age, Daily Amader Shomoy, Jugantar, The New Nation, Ekhon, Sokaler Khobor, Bhorer Kagoj, former editors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Amar Desh and the acting editor of Saptahik Dinkal.

However, Kaler Kantha editor Abed Khan in a fax sent to bdnews24.com requested that his name be withdrawn from the list.

He stated in the fax message that the conditions that had been previously agreed at the time of signing the statement were not mentioned in the press release sent to media outlets.

Abed Khan mentioned he was under the impression that the matter of journalists' welfare would be highlighted.

Furthermore, he said the press release was also supposed to mention that the legal complications surrounding the publisher of Amar Desh, which is perceived to be a BNP leaning Bengali newspaper, would be dealt with through the legal process.

"But I have come to know that the press release does not reflect those concerns appropriately."

Abed Khan's fax stated, "Thus I withdraw my association with that joint statement."

He requested that his name be dropped from the list of those who signed the statement.

bdnews24.com/mrr/im/pks/am/ta/0100h.