CPJ concerned over revocation of 20 journalists’ press accreditation

Dhaka, Nov 05 - Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said that it is "concerned" by the interim information ministry's announcement revoking the press accreditation of 20 journalists, four of whom remain detained in "apparent retaliation" for their support of the Awami League.

“The decision sets an alarming precedent of censorship,” CPJ said in a message on its verified Facebook page.

“The interim authorities must safeguard press freedom during this critical period of the country's political transition,” CPJ added.

It also shared its previous reports on arrests and criminal cases against Bangladeshi journalists “perceived as pro-Awami League.”

The government on October 29 scrapped the permanent and temporary press accreditation cards of 20 senior journalists including Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Farzana Rupa, and Farida Yasmin.

A gazette notification, signed by Md Nizamul Kabir, principal information officer of the Press Information Department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was issued in this regard.

Journalists whose accreditations were scrapped include former Director General of Press Institute of Bangladesh Jafar Wazed, former press minister Shaban Mahmud, Ekattor Television’s former Chief Editor Mozzamel Haque Babu, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naem Nizam, ABCnews24.com Chief Editor Subhash Chandra Singha Roy, Munni Saha and Amadershomoy.com Editor Naimul Islam Khan, among others.-UNB