RSF calls on Yunus to withdraw false cases against journos, repeal CSA

International non-profit organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which works to safeguard the right to freedom of information, has called on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to withdraw the false cases lodged against journalists and repeal the Cyber Security Act.

"We call on Muhammad Yunus' government to act: end impunity for crimes against media professionals, drop the spurious charges brought by the former regime against journalists caught in a terrible legal spiral, and repeal the cybersecurity law used to silence them," Antoine Bernard, RSF's director of advocacy and assistance, said in a statement issued today (15 October).

"At the same time, it is equally urgent to end the ongoing legal attacks against over 130 journalists who have been the victims of unfounded accusations," he said, stating that structural reforms are necessary to turn the repressive page of the previous government. 

"Five journalists currently detained for this reason — without any prior investigation — must be released, and their right to a fair trial must be respected. The crimes against journalists committed during the August protests must be investigated in an exemplary manner and subject to judicial sanctions," added the RSF director.

The RSF said as transitional leader Muhammad Yunus looks to reform Bangladesh's institutions, he must include guarantees for press freedom in his revival of democracy.

"RSF calls on the interim authorities to repeal the repressive laws put in place by the recently deposed government and drop the unfounded legal cases against journalists," said the Paris-based organisation.

According to the RSF, in August 2024, at least five media professionals were killed and another 250 injured during the deadly crackdown on student-led protests against Hasina's government.

This outbreak of violence prompted the departure of the former prime minister, whose reign was marked by a steady deterioration in press freedom, according to RSF's annual rankings.

"The government of Hasina, which RSF designated as a predator of press freedom, created numerous obstacles for journalists trying to do their work, including censorship, cyber harassment, intimidation from military intelligence units, legal harassment, violence from police and the militias of the ruling party, and murder," said the RSF.

In 2024, Hasina's last year in power, Bangladesh plunged to 165th place out of 180 in RSF's World Press Freedom Index, the country's lowest ranking ever.

The RSF also stated that under Hasina, Bangladeshi journalists were silenced by an arsenal of draconian laws.

Between 2018 and 2023, 97 journalists were arrested and 255 were prosecuted for their reporting under the Digital Security Act, according to a report by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).

"Seven media professionals are still being unduly prosecuted, and one was sentenced in absentia," it said.

Recommendations for interim govt

The RSF has issued multiple recommendations for Bangladesh's interim government to revive press freedom.

The recommendations include prosecuting those responsible for the murders of the five journalists killed during the Monsoon Revolution (1 July-6 August 2024) as well as the perpetrators of the violence that injured over 250 journalists.

Adequate compensation must be provided for both the injured and the families of the deceased, RSF also recommended.

It also called on the interim government to drop the unjust prosecutions against journalists launched by the previous government, including the cases falling under the repressive Information and Communication Technology Act of 2006, the Digital Security Act of 2018 and the Cyber Security Act of 2023. "The authorities must also pardon exiled journalist Bashir Akon, a victim of this judicial harassment."

It also urged the government to guarantee every journalist's right to not be subjected to arbitrary detention and prosecution, and their right to presumed innocence in the event of legal proceedings.

"Expedite the legal proceedings of all unresolved cases of murdered journalists, especially the case concerning the journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi," RSF added.