The Editors’ Council - an organisation of newspaper editors - on Sunday voiced deep concerns, and protested a statement recently made by the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) regarding journalism and the media.
In a release issued Sunday, signed by the Editors’ Council president and Editor of The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, and General Secretary and Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the council termed the BPSA statement as an expression of indecent and irrational behaviour towards independent media and unbiased journalism.
This statement pointed out that several reports have been published in different media recently about the unusual assets of former and current high and low ranking police officials of the country.
The BPSA had recently sent a letter to the editors of all media outlets in the country expressing concerns about this, which was later published in the form of news in various media outlets.
This BPSA letter concluded with a request to refrain from publishing such confusing and partial reports in the interest of public safety and public order.
The letter also requested to exercise more caution and follow journalistic principles properly in publishing any kind of report about Bangladesh Police force in future.
The Editors’ Council statement however said the media carries assessments of the good deeds of the police in the form of reports.
Besides, the media professionally investigates and disseminates information of acquiring wealth through abuse of power, which is not consistent with known sources of income, while serving in a responsible position in the government.
Relevant government agencies are also investigating these issues.
The Editors’ Council believes that the BPSA is expressing the practice of trading blame through a blanket protest letter in the context of the recently published news reports.
The Editors’ Council statement further stated that if there is any doubt about the sense of responsibilities of those who published those news reports, anyone can approach the Press Council by following the proper rules and regulations.
Instead of that the media has been threatened in the form of mutual blaming through protest and requests to maintain greater vigilance in the future before publishing any report about the police.
This is contrary to the independent media and unbiased practices of journalism, the release reads.
The Editors’ Council also expects cooperation from the police force in the continuous efforts of the media to implement the government’s policies against corruption in the coming days.
