In the month of March-April six journalists were tortured in ten coastal districts by political parties, miscreants and terrorist group. One reporter threatened and assaulted, one threatened including defamation case and another four journalists were threatened. Local journalists have claimed that political instability, extortion, narcotics and various kind of irregularity are the cause of journalist torture. This information is quoted from an investigative survey in the month of March-April in 2007 conducted by Mass-line Media Centre (MMC). Jashim Joni, Lalmohon
thana correspondent of The Daily Ajker Paribarton and Jugantor was threatened and tortured by a terrorist group for publishing the news on the torture and extortion of ex-water resource minister’s ASP’s father-in-law and brother-in-law. The terrorist group filed a defamation case against reporter through his relative Zakir Hossain. Before the case filing they threaded the reporter by source and mobile phone. Beside this he became victim of police harassment, economical and mental hazard. Raju Islam, staff reporter of The Daily Ajker Paribarton of
Barisal, threatened by drug sellers for published a report on drug sell at
Barisal. Once they attacked reporter’s house and injured his mother. Newspaper authority refrain the journalist from filing case to avoid the complication. But he filed a G.D. at Kotoali
thana in later time and this news published in local and national newspaper. Local administration is playing positive role to journalist. But local administration of
Barisal did not take step against drugs. As a result drug spread out is almost same as before. For the lack of security reporters can not publish any news on drug issue. Journalists of Jhalokati are administratively active. Many told that they are not interested to file case due to haven’t get any prevention from the torture related case. In some districts local administrations behave cooperatively on behalf of oppressed journalists and it is require ensuring their security. Journalists informed that as opposition party is strong, leader of political party, terror groups so they need legal assistance in this connection.
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