Bangladesh: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) raises concern over scrapping 30 journalists accreditation

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh’s decision to scrap the permanent and temporary press accreditation cards of 30 more journalists. Earlier, on October 29, the accreditation cards of 20 journalists were also revoked.

The international organization, which works globally to protect journalists’ rights, issued this concern through its Asia branch (CPJ Asia).In a statement released on Tuesday through its verified Facebook and ‘X’ accounts, the CPJ Asia said, “CPJ is alarmed by reports on Tuesday that the interim information ministry scrapped the press accreditation of 30 additional journalists perceived to be supportive of the Awami League party.”

The CPJ has stated that the interim authorities should not use press accreditation as a weapon to target journalists for their work. Such actions could lead to increased risks of media censorship, warned The CPJ.

On Tuesday, the Press Information Department (PID) of Bangladesh scrapped the permanent and temporary press accreditation cards of 30 more journalists, including Rahul Raha, Imdadul Haq Milon, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, and Ahmed Zobayer.

The CPJ had expressed concern over the revocation of the 20 journalists’ cards as well.

Navalsang Parmar (Dhaka)