Journalists Imprisoned On Contempt Charges in Bangladesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed at contempt of court convictions handed down by the Bangladesh Supreme Court against a reporter, publisher and acting editor of the daily newspaper Amar Desh.

 

The contempt petition was moved by two members of the bar after Amar Desh carried a story on April 21 suggesting that the Supreme Court bench was predisposed towards making decisions that were favourable to the incumbent government.

 

Reporter Waliullah Noman has been sentenced to one month in prison and a fine of Bangladesh Taka (BDT) 10,000 (about USD 150), and acting editor Mahmudur Rahman has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined BDT 100,000. Publisher Hashmat Ali was fined (BDT) 10,000. All three would have to serve jail terms if they were to default on the fines.

 

Amar Desh Deputy Editor Syed Abdal Ahmad and News Editor Mujtahid Faruqui were discharged by the court after they tendered full and unconditional apologies.

 

Media reports in Bangladesh indicate that this is the first conviction for contempt handed down by the country’s highest court. The verdict, delivered by the full bench of the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, leaves no options for appeal.

 

Rahman is scheduled to appear before the same bench on August 24 to face contempt charges arising from a separate report “Farce in the name of an independent judiciary” published in the newspaper on May 10.

 

The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English language daily, observed that the contempt convictions do nothing to enhance the “dignity of the judiciary”. Referring to the institution-building process underway since Bangladesh returned to rule by a civilian elected government less than two years back, the editorial observes: “What we need now is a wise leadership of the Supreme judiciary towards strengthening all institutions that bring more freedom to individuals and accountability of all institutions, including the judiciary”.

 

The IFJ Asia-Pacific reminds the judiciary in Bangladesh of the need to promote a critical and well-informed discourse through the media as a part of the process of building robust institutions in an emerging democracy.

 

“We are aware that journalists’ organisations and press freedom bodies in Bangladesh are divided on this issue, since Mahmudur Rahman has been associated with the party that is currently in opposition and he is seen by many to be pursuing oppositional politics through his newly acquired media interests,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

 

“However, this conviction arises from an article published in a newspaper that has been in existence for a number of years. In itself, the article cannot be construed to constitute a threat to the administration of justice.”

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries

 

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific