22 March 2012

IFJ Concerned by Intimidation and Harassment of Media in Bangladesh

The

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by recent reports

that journalists and media in Bangladesh

continue to be subjected to threats and harassment.

It is reported

that nineteen journalists in the south-western district of Pirojpur presented themselves

to the district police station on March 14, demanding protection from threats

made against them by the district’s ruling party, the Awami League, at a public

rally the previous day.

The IFJ has

learned from sources in Bangladesh

that the journalists had been threatened with violence following their publication

in local newspapers of critical reports about two members of the district parliament.

The reports, which alleged that two local politicians had been involved in corruption

and nepotism, were subsequently republished in daily newspapers and news

channels based in the capital city, Dhaka.

It is alleged

that members of the Awami League threatened the journalists that if they published

critical reports about the two parliamentarians again they would be forced to

leave the city or would be "chopped into pieces and buried."

Further to

this incident, IFJ associates in Bangladesh have expressed concern over

a notice issued to private television channel Ekushey TV (ETV) by the National

Board of Revenue for failure to submit tax returns for three years. ETV claims

that it is yet to complete its financial audit for the years in question as it

is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) of shares.

This notice

follows intervention by Bangladeshi authorities on March

12 to prevent ETV, and two other television channels, from broadcasting a speech

by the leader of the national opposition at a political rally.

“Friction

between the media and the government and ruling party of Bangladesh persists at the local and

national levels”, said the IFJ Asia-Pacific.

“We call on

the Government of Bangladesh to demonstrate greater tolerance of legitimate

media criticism and to take action to ensure those politicians and public

officials who intimidate journalists or the media in the performance of their

duties are investigated and charged”.

For

further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

The IFJ

represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

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the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific