Editors acknowledge need for common framework of guidelines for journalists’ safety

Editors, journalists, academics and activists have recognised the need for a common framework of guidelines towards better safety and security of journalists in the context of increasing threats and risks.

Journalists from local and national news publishers covering print, electronic and online mediums, journalist union leaders, academics, civil society representatives and experts spoke on the issue at the ‘Regional Dialogue on Safety and Security for Journalists’ hosted by the Editors’ Council in Dhaka on Thursday.

They recognised that physical, psychological, legal and digital aspects constitute equally important safety issues for newsmen, the council said in a press release.

The participants agreed that the guideline of journalists’ safety protocol should be a product of a joint exercise of all quarters concerned, including the Editors’ Council, Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh, Press Institute of Bangladesh, journalists’ unions, National Press Club, the Dhaka Reporters Unity and all such bodies.

Editors stressed that prevailing international best practices should form the basis of the safety protocol, which will hopefully be adopted and practised by the media, according to the release.

The speakers urged the government and its agencies to do as much as possible to ensure safety and security of journalists and contribute to removing hurdles that threaten press freedom.

International speakers at the dialogue included Sri Lanka-based Ranga Kalansooriya, Regional Advisor for Asia, International Media Support, India-based Rana Ayyub, investigative journalist and writer and UK-based Lucy Freeman, Chief Executive of Media Legal Defense Initiative.

The News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, who is also a member of the Editors’ Council, chaired and moderated the programme.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of the Daily Star, also the Editors’ Council General Secretary, introduced the topic of journalists’ safety and security at the beginning of the discussion and welcomed the participants.