In a press release issued on Monday, journalist leaders stressed on holding the immediate trial of those responsible for killing 67 journalists along with mass people during the last 15 years of fascism.
The claims were made in a rally organised by Bangladesh Rural Journalists’ Association (BRJA) in front of the National Press Club, according to the press release.
They demanded that victim journalists and their families be given financial assistance, and that the state should also take steps to ensure proper medical care of injured journalists. Furthermore, closed media houses must reopen immediately, and mass media should be freed from the clutches of evil forces, they added.
The leaders also urged that journalists need to play an active role in ensuring in preventing the rise of fascism in the country. Removing henchmen of past fascist regimes from BTV, Betar, BSS and the Information Ministry was deemed as a priority.
Attending as the chief guest, Abul Kashem Chowdhury, a former student leader, expressed his solidarity with the demands of journalists.
He also posed the idea of declaring journalists killed and injured by the ousted fascist regime as “National Heroes”.
Chairman of BRJA Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain Ibne Moin Chowdhury chaired the event, while it was moderated by Secretary General Sheikh Mohammad Tajul Islam.
Former editor of Daily New Nation Mostofa Kamal Mazumder was present as a special guest. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Chief Reporter of Daily Amar Desh Basir Jamal attended as chief speaker.
Among others who spoke at the event were Additional News Editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Md Modabbir Hossain, and former senior vice president of BFUJ, President of Sylhet Division Journalists’ Association and publicity secretary of the Dhaka Union of Journalists Abul Kalam, Vice President of the BRJA Md Sazedul Islam, Joint Secretary General of BRJA Imran Ahmed, and Organising Secretary of BRJA Taj Uddin Ahmed.