Journalists Imprisoned On Contempt Charges in Bangladesh

[Spring Onion]

Please raise voice for them



Journalists Imprisoned On Contempt Charges in Bangladesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed at contempt of court convictions handed down by the Bangladesh Supreme Court against a reporter, publisher and acting editor of the daily newspaper Amar Desh.

The contempt petition was moved by two members of the bar after Amar Desh carried a story on April 21 suggesting that the Supreme Court bench was predisposed towards making decisions that were favourable to the incumbent government.

Reporter Waliullah Noman has been sentenced to one month in prison and a fine of Bangladesh Taka (BDT) 10,000 (about USD 150), and acting editor Mahmudur Rahman has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined BDT 100,000. Publisher Hashmat Ali was fined (BDT) 10,000. All three would have to serve jail terms if they were to default on the fines.

Amar Desh Deputy Editor Syed Abdal Ahmad and News Editor Mujtahid Faruqui were discharged by the court after they tendered full and unconditional apologies.

Media reports in Bangladesh indicate that this is the first conviction for contempt handed down by the country’s highest court. The verdict, delivered by the full bench of the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, leaves no options for appeal.

Rahman is scheduled to appear before the same bench on August 24 to face contempt charges arising from a separate report “Farce in the name of an independent judiciary” published in the newspaper on May 10.

The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English language daily, observed that the contempt convictions do nothing to enhance the “dignity of the judiciary”. Referring to the institution-building process underway since Bangladesh returned to rule by a civilian elected government less than two years back, the editorial observes: “What we need now is a wise leadership of the Supreme judiciary towards strengthening all institutions that bring more freedom to individuals and accountability of all institutions, including the judiciary”.

The IFJ Asia-Pacific reminds the judiciary in Bangladesh of the need to promote a critical and well-informed discourse through the media as a part of the process of building robust institutions in an emerging democracy.

“We are aware that journalists’ organisations and press freedom bodies in Bangladesh are divided on this issue, since Mahmudur Rahman has been associated with the party that is currently in opposition and he is seen by many to be pursuing oppositional politics through his newly acquired media interests,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“However, this conviction arises from an article published in a newspaper that has been in existence for a number of years. In itself, the article cannot be construed to constitute a threat to the administration of justice.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries



Journalists Imprisoned On Contempt Charges in Bangladesh | Farzana Shah

 

[Skies]

Please raise voice for them

Use Facebook for quick response. I may work.

 

[TopCat]

Mahmudur is a Journalist?????

Give me a break... He should had long been in Jail even before he joined so called Journalism.

 

[Spring Onion]

Mahmudur is a Journalist?????

Give me a break... He should had long been in Jail even before he joined so called Journalism.

Forget about him. Concentrate on reasons

"“However, this conviction arises from an article published in a newspaper that has been in existence for a number of years. In itself, the article cannot be construed to constitute a threat to the administration of justice.”

 

[idune]

Here is my analysis evaluating consideration of Bangladesh current supreme court and judgement they have made on Mahmudur Rahman. Fact of the matter is Mahmudur Rahman investigative report badly exposed

1) how Awami League regime using attorney general office influencing supreme court
2) how attorney general using completelty false information
3) how judges are accepting Awami regime fed false information to punish anyone questioning Awami regime

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Bangladesh SC court Judges notch up the “kangaroo” court title

Bangladesh Supreme Court (SC) is considering contempt case against editor and reporters of Daily Amardesh. Daily Amardesh published a report on repeated questionable actions by chamber judge of SC influenced by Attorney General . Here is the report on statements Bangladesh Supreme Court (SC) Judges made in court yesterday (18/10/2010) and ground for contempt considered by SC Judges:

1) Report truthfulness on chamber Judge questionable activities is NOT the consideration of supreme court. Question we (SC judges) are considering if editor was in contempt of the court by publishing the report on chamber Judge questionable practice.

2) In the report editor did not use “honorable” in front of Justice Mozzammel Hossain and Judges considered that to be disrespect and reason for contempt.

3) Mahmudur Rahman, defendant and acting editor of daily Amardesh came from different background (engineer, businessman and columnist) and became editor in last 2 years. According to statement by Judges, Mahmudur Rahman background does not qualify him to be editor of a newspaper and reason for him not to use “honorable”.

Amardesh Online Edition

These (laughable) statements and consideration by SC Judges raises some obvious questions:

These questions are raised on actions of Judges who are occupying office of SC justice and NOT at the office of SC justices.

1) If telling the truth exposes how chamber Judge is involved in questionable and dis-honorable practices then how publishing it can be construed as "contempt"?

2) And if telling the truth is considered contempt then what these judges are defending? Truth or abuse of power?

3) Is it another way of saying even if Judges are involved in questionable practice no one should talk about?

4) Is there a law saying not adding “honorable” before name of a Judge means disrespect and is a contemptible offense?

5) In US and elsewhere it is common practice to address a judge as “Justice xyz”. So how and when adding “honorable” before name of a judge became a yardstick for journalistic acumen?

6) Since when any Judges are entitled to determine and Judge qualification of newspaper editor? Are Bangladesh SC Judges not abusing sweeping power of their office?

Honor is something can only be earned and cannot be imposed. Honorable is implied with the institution of SC judges. But they way SC justices are imposing more of a colonial norm of respect they are further denigrating their honor.

 

[Skies]

Have you noticed that our all private channels are broadcasting BTV news nowadays? I think hell-AL has made it obligatory forcefully. The half of the news of BTV is full of Mujib and Mukti Juddah. Sad, boring and disgusting.

 

[saleen_s7]

Did some one just question whehter mahudur rahman is a journalist? lol .. hes an engineer, a degree which requires way more effort than journalism. Not to mention, i can assure you hes way of journalism is more professional that most editors.

 

[DejaVo]

Came on we all know what this man did in Fulbari. He is a slave of Asia Energy. Now he become a journalist. And Mr. Falu chose the right person for his newspaper. We all know what Mr. Falu's role in BNP time, Now u can't find him any where in BNP, I don't see him for long.

 

[saleen_s7]

Came on we all know what this man did in Fulbari. He is a slave of Asia Energy. Now he become a journalist. And Mr. Falu chose the right person for his newspaper. We all know what Mr. Falu's role in BNP time, Now u can't find him any where in BNP, I don't see him for long.

Whats the relation with him being a bad journalist?

 

[eastwatch]

Have you noticed that our all private channels are broadcasting BTV news nowadays? I think hell-AL has made it obligatory forcefully. The half of the news of BTV is full of Mujib and Mukti Juddah. Sad, boring and disgusting.

This kind of forcing one's hand is very common in Bangladesh. When a political govt finds a newspaper is against the govt policy, it does not give these newspapers any advertisements, and sends all important news to only BTV (a govt mouthpiece).

This thing is happening now. This is how many news media have to print those news that have been sanctioned by the govt to publish only in the BTV. Very dirty ploy, indeed!

 

[integra]

fortunately no one watches tv(let alone btv) at 2p.m Otherwise we would have seen lots of mentally sick people in pabna!

 

[HELLO SL]

Need more freedom

 

[DejaVo]

Whats the relation with him being a bad journalist?

Because this man isn't neutral journalist, he is a propganda machine of BNP. And is talking whatever come in his mind without any proof. AL have power to kick his a$$ right now, and there are doing this perfectly. I know sir, GoB isn't doing right thing but Mr. Rahman isn't a pure man.

 

[integra]

still everyone has their right to freedom of speech. If he was a propaganda man then AL could hav countered him by another newspaper(they have many). It was a very bad move which pissed off many people.

 

[Evil Flare]

Supreme court should be completely independent . seems like judges have sold themselves to AL govt