Barisal journalists' convention against 'repression' on newsmen
Punish culprits or face news blackout
Our Correspondent, Barisal
Newsmen of southern districts at a convention to protest "repression on journalists" here yesterday demanded arrest and punishment of persons responsible for the acts and threatened of a blackout of administration's news for noncompliance. But they did not give any deadline for the blackout. The blackout will also include news of political parties and leaders "sheltering" party men responsible for the alleged persecution. The convention of about 300 newsmen from greater Barisal and Faridput, first if its kind in the country, was jointly inaugurated by 20 journalists who "suffered persecution either by law enforcers or by political activists" belonging to ruling or opposition parties at different times. It was held at the Central Shaheed Minar and organised by the Barisal Reporters Unity (BRU). Speakers at the convention alleged that the "repression" and filing of "false" cases, done mainly by law enforcers and ruling party men continued, but Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and State Minister for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Shajahan Omor, both hailing from greater Barisal, did not take any action. They are well aware of the situation but playing deaf and dumb. They are against press freedom, the speakers said. The speakers blamed the two government leaders for continuation of the "repression in the southern part of the country". The journalists took an oath to launch a "movement against oppression and repression on journalist". It also demanded scrapping of sections 500, 501 and 505 (Kha) of CrPC and trial of the culprits in speedy trial tribunals. The convention was presided over by BRU President Anisur Rahman Khan and addressed by, among others, BRU Secretary Shawkat Milton, Masud Nizami from Dhaka, Salim Samad of Reporters Sans Frontiers, Barisal Union of Journalists Secretary Kazi Makbul Hossain, Barisal Press Club Secretary Humaun Kbair, Barguna Press Club Secretary Mostoka Kader, Jhalokhati Press Club President Shamsul Alom Chand, Probir Sikdar from Faridpur, Moinul Hossain of Ittefaq, Nikhil Chaterjee from Patuakhali, Rangan Bakshi Nupu from Pirozpur, Farid Hossain Babul from Bhola, Khairuzzaman Kamal, and cultural activist Mintu Bose. After the convention, the journalists brought out a colourful procession and paraded the main streets of the city.
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