Editors' Council calls on govt to crack down on mob justice 

The Editors' Council has called on the government to crack down on mob justice in all types of institutions, including the media.

Strongly condemning the recent incidents of vandalism and tension in front of some of the country's media offices, the council issued a statement today (26 November) terming the matter a cause for deep concern.

At the same time, the council urged all parties concerned to refrain from activities that go against media freedom.

The Editors' Council further said it believes that if someone has any objection to any news or editorial policy presented by a newspaper, they can express their intellectual position and statement in writing.

"But attempts at creating chaos are disrupting the media and the practice of journalism."

The Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) yesterday expressed deep concern over the issue, stating that freedom of press is under serious attack. 

The organisation strongly condemned such incidents, it said, "Incidents of sit-ins, attacks and vandalism have occurred in front of the offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star. For the past two days, some people have been trying to create chaos by gathering in front of the Prothom Alo head office in Karwan Bazar. Later, police dispersed them. Such programmes continued even today." 

The organisation called on the government to strictly suppress mob justice in all institutions, including the media. 

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam said yesterday the government does not support vandalism at any newspaper office or pressure to close down newspapers.

"Such incidents will not be tolerated in future," he said.

Nahid further said, "I saw there has been tension surrounding Bangla daily Prothom Alo for the last few days. Yesterday too, there was much tension in front of their office. Today, their office was vandalised in Rajshahi and protests were held in various places, including Chattogram and Brahmanbaria.

"Our position is such that if the public has complaints or anger against any media outlet or newspaper, they can express it, but it must be done peacefully," he added.

The adviser said legal action will be taken against those involved in vandalism. 

In its statement today, the Editor's Council also said it sees positively Adviser Nahid's message on the government's stance and warning of legal action.

The statements came against the backdrop of five people being detained on 24 November after the police removed protesters who were attempting to hold a mass feast in front of the Bangla daily Prothom Alo's office in the capital's Karwan Bazar area. 

A group of people, comprising teachers and students of various Islamic institutes, had gathered in front of the office in the afternoon to protest what they called the newspaper leaning towards Indian hegemony.  

Earlier, a protest programme was held on Thursday under the same banner. 

The following day, a protest over a similar accusation was held in front of English newspaper The Daily Star's office.

There it was announced that cows would be slaughtered and a feast would be held in front of both the newspapers' offices.