The Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) has condemned the recent string of cases and threats hurled against journalists for publishing articles, terming the matter as detestable.
In a joint statement, CUJ President Tapan Chakraborty and General Secretary M Shamsul Islam said CUJ member Md Mohiuddin has been made an accused in a case as he shared a report, published in the Dainik Amader Shomoy, on social media.
Besides, a certain quarter has threatened FM Mizanur Rahman, a staff reporter of The Daily Star, and Sohel Marma, a staff reporter of the Ajker Patrika, because of the reports published in their respective newspapers.
Terming such incidents a threat to free journalism, the CUJ leaders demanded the cases lodged against the journalists be withdrawn immediately.
On February 15, the Dainik Amader Shomoy published a report under the headline “Koyla Ayan Sharmar Moyla Jayni” against “journalist” Ayan Sharma who had faced allegations of extortion, intimidation and issuing threats in the name of journalism.
On February 19, the daily published another piece of news under the headline “Dakhal Chadabaj Chokrer Ayan Sharma Dekhan Patrikar Bhoy.”
Following the reports, Ayan filed two defamation cases against Dainik Amader Shomoy Acting Editor Mohammad Golam Sarwar, PHP Family Managing Director Mohammed Iqbal Hossain, Dainik Amader Shomoy correspondent Mehedi Hasan, and CUJ and Chattogram Press Club member Md Mohiuddin on Wednesday and Thursday.
In 2005, due to extortion in the name of journalism, Ayan Sharma had made a written pledge that he would never associate his name with the noble profession of journalism.
