Information ministry forms 8-strong panel to monitor ‘harassment cases’ against journalists

The 8-strong committee will report to authorities periodically on the progress of cases

The information ministry has decided to monitor harassment cases filed against journalists working in different media outlets.

An eight-strong committee has been formed to oversee these cases, as announced in an official order from the ministry on Monday.

In addition to monitoring the cases, it will also inform the authorities periodically about the progress of these cases, the statement said.

Hundreds of people died during clashes and shootings before and after the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5. Journalists have also been named as ‘accomplices and instigators’ in murder cases related to these killings

So far, at least four journalists have been arrested in connection with these cases, while many are in hiding or not appearing publicly.

The committee was formed amid discussions and criticisms over many journalists being broadly accused in cases despite having no involvement in the killings.

The ministry's order said, “Recently, it has been observed that various harassment cases are being filed against journalists. To monitor these cases, the 'Committee for Monitoring Harassment Cases against Journalists Working in Mass Media' has been formed.”

The additional secretary of the information ministry has been appointed as the head of the committee, while the joint secretary (press) of the same ministry has been named the member secretary.

Other members include the chief information officer, a representative from the Law and Justice Division (district judge rank), the director general of the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust, the director general of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, and the secretary of the Bangladesh Press Council.