Journalists issue 2-day ultimatum to withdraw case against bdnews24.com reporter

Leaders of different journalists' associations have demanded the withdrawal of the case against bdnews24.com Staff Correspondent Golam Mujtaba Dhruba within two days.

At a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday, they threatened more agitations against the case filed by a judge under Section 57 of the ICT Act.

Dhaka Reporters' Unity President Shakhawat Hossain Badsha said, "How does a judge initiate a case against a journalist under the dark law - Section 57 of the ICT Act? This law aims to throttle the media's voice."

He hoped the law would be scrapped in the current session of parliament as promised by Law Minister Anisul Huq and Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.

Bangladesh Crime Reporters' Association President Abu Saleh Akon said, "Politicians, public representatives, and drug dealers - they all used this section of law against journalists. Where shall we go if a judge uses this same section?"    

"This case will have to be withdrawn within two days. Otherwise, the journalists will take to the streets for further agitations," he added.

CRAB Joint General Secretary Asaduzzaman Biku, former general secretary Harunur Rashid, former publication secretary MM Badsha, Human Rights Journalists' Forum General Secretary Khairuzzaman Kamal, Women Journalists' Centre President Nasimun Nahar Minu, Channel 24 Senior Correspondent Rashed Nizam and Ekattor TV journalist Nadia Sharmin, among others, spoke at the rally.

Human-chain programmes against the case were also held in front of Savar Press Club and Jahangirnagar University by the journalists' association there.

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 being loaded with a judge's furniture 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.