Police Service Association terming media reports on corrupt officials as ‘smear campaign’ a threat to independent journalism: BFUJ, DUJ
The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) have expressed concern over the statement issued by the Bangladesh Police Service Association regarding the recent media reports on the corruption of former and current members of the Bangladesh Police.
BFUJ President Omar Faruk, Secretary General Deep Azad, DUJ President Sohel Haider Chowdhury, and General Secretary Aktar Hossain expressed their concern in a statement today (22 June).
“Recently, the media has published the details of the huge and unusual wealth of some powerful current and former government officials in the country. We believe that responsible journalists are publishing only verifiable facts by verifying the information, documents, and not for any particular purpose,” reads the statement.
“But we think that the language in which some leaders and some organisations are reacting after the publication of these news is a threat to independent journalism,” it added.
Earlier on 21 June, the Bangladesh Police Service Association issued a statement condemning what it describes as a “smear campaign” by certain media outlets against current and former members of the police force.
The association claimed that these reports are exaggerated, partial, and intentionally misleading.
The Police Service Association’s statement came amid the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) investigation into the assets of former inspector general of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family, following a number of media reports on allegations against him of accumulating illegal wealth.
There were also media reports recently on allegations of graft against ex-Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.
