Dhaka, Jun 03 (V7N) – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to fulfill his election pledge to safeguard media freedom in Bangladesh. The international media rights organization made the appeal in a report published on its website on Tuesday, outlining 10 recommendations aimed at strengthening press freedom in the country.
Kunal Majumder, Coordinator of CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Program, said successive governments in Bangladesh have often used legal mechanisms to target journalists perceived to be linked with previous administrations. While the current government had promised a different approach, he noted that meaningful progress remained limited after its first 100 days in office.
According to CPJ, media freedom can be strengthened through a series of reforms, including ending politically motivated cases against journalists, preventing the filing of multiple cases to deny bail, and stopping the unfair labeling of media professionals. The organization cited the cases of journalists Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, and Farzana Rupa as examples of concerns regarding press freedom.
The organization also recommended repealing or amending the Official Secrets Act of 1923, abolishing criminal defamation provisions under the Defamation Act of 1860, and reforming the Special Powers Act of 1974 to prevent their use against journalists. CPJ further urged reforms to laws governing surveillance and called for stronger legal protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
CPJ stressed the importance of ending the practice of labeling journalists as agents of former governments, anti-India, or anti-Islam, arguing that such characterizations undermine journalistic credibility, endanger reporters, and discourage sources from speaking freely.
The organization also emphasized the need for accountability in crimes committed against journalists, calling for transparent and independent investigations free from political influence.
In addition, CPJ recommended reviewing and amending Bangladesh’s Cyber Security Act and withdrawing cases against journalists filed under such laws following independent assessments. The group also called for reforms to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 and other legislation that it says can be used to suppress press freedom.
The report expressed concerns over the proposed Media Commission Ordinance, warning that it could create a regulatory framework capable of restricting media independence. CPJ instead urged the government to implement recommendations previously made by the Media Reform Commission regarding media regulation and freedom of expression.
The organization concluded that adopting these measures would help create a safer and more independent environment for journalists and strengthen democratic accountability in Bangladesh.
END/SMA/AJ
