Journalists protest ICT case against bdnews24.com reporter Dhruba

Several journalists' associations have condemned the case started against bdnews24.com Staff Correspondent Golam Mujtaba Dhruba by a judge under Section 57 of the ICT Act over a report.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 14 June 2017, 07:42 PM
Updated : 14 June 2017, 07:42 PM

The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) said on Wednesday, a day after the case was initiated, that such cases would create a gap between the judiciary and the media, which might lead to a lack of confidence in the both sides and an untoward situation.

Dhruba, on Jun 11, reported an incident in Manikganj town where an argument took place between the family of a sick child and court staffers who refused to move a truck that was blocking the road.

Senior Assistant Judge Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman alleged in the case that the reporter manipulated the facts and threatened the judge over the phone. 

In a statement on Wednesday, DUJ President Shaban Mahmud and General Secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhury, said such cases under Section 57 of the ICT Act were 'unacceptable' to the media.

"The hurdles created by such cases in publishing news will hinder society's development," they said.

They also said they failed to understand how an 'honourable judge' could initiate a case against a journalist under such a 'controversial' law.

The DUJ leaders urged the judge to immediately withdraw the case.

The Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) also issued a statement condemning the case against Dhruba, who covers crime news.

It said the judge's 'anger was unfortunate and painful'. 

CRAB President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Sarwar Alam expressed concern and frustration over the case in the statement.

They demanded that Dhruba do not face harassment by law enforcers and proper investigations into the facts reported by him.

Manikganj Press Club President Golam Sanwar Sanu also protested against the case.