List of 282 Accused Journalists Handed Over to the Prime Minister

Leaders of the Editors' Council have held a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting took place today, Sunday afternoon, in the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat. The Prime Minister's Press Wing has confirmed the information.

During the meeting, the Editors' Council leaders submitted a list of 282 journalists accused in various cases to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said, "We handed over the list to the Prime Minister and explicitly stated that such cases against journalists are not a good sign for a democratic country. This initial list may not reflect the entirety of the situation, and some names might have been left out."

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said, "When the leaders of the Editors' Council raised the issue of cases against journalists, the Prime Minister ordered immediate action to be taken. At the same time, the editors thanked the Prime Minister for the absolute lack of any government interference in the media since its formation."

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State Yasser Khan Chowdhury, the Prime Minister's Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Editors' Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, General Secretary and Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif, Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Daily Inqilab Editor A M M Bahauddin, Suprobhat Bangladesh Editor Rusho Mahmud, and Daily Karatoa Editor Md. Mozammel Haque.

Afterward, the Prime Minister hosted a lunch for the journalists.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon were also present at the meeting.