Reporters' groups slate attacks on journalists in court

Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) have strongly condemned and protested the attacks and harassment of journalists in court by a group of lawyers as they were performing their professional duties.

The two organisations issued separate statements on Friday.

Journalists Muktadir Rashid Romeo and Asif Muhammad Siam were attacked and harassed by lawyers in the courtroom of the metropolitan magistrate’s court in Dhaka on Thursday.

In a statement, DRU leaders said: “Incidents of attacks on journalists while performing their professional duties are increasing regularly. This is a threat to independent journalism.

“If previous attacks were prosecuted, such incidents would not have been repeated. DRU is calling for the culprits to be identified from the video footage and for punitive action to be taken.”