Somoy TV sends Mujtaba Khandaker on compulsory leave following protests by journalists

Staff Correspondent

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Somoy Television’s Head of News Mujtaba Khandaker has been sent on compulsory leave by the organization. She was sent on leave on Wednesday (September 30) evening amid dissatisfaction and protests against her among news workers over various issues, including allegations of harassment of female journalists. She was later forced to leave the television building, sources said.

Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Somoy TV journalists went to the HR-Admin department of the organization to protest demanding the removal of Mujtaba Khandaker. At that time, a large section of female journalists also participated in the protest. Tension prevailed in the newsroom throughout the day over the issue.

Sources said that there were already complaints and dissatisfaction against Mujtaba Khandaker regarding her behavior and harassment of female colleagues. Although these complaints were discussed within the organization, a section of the employees felt that the matter was not properly resolved.

Since the beginning of the controversy surrounding Mujtaba Khandaker, various allegations have come to light from female journalists. Among them is an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a female journalist from Soami TV after he took her to a restaurant outside his office on the pretext of making her a presenter.

According to various previously published reports and related sources, the female journalist had alleged that Mujtaba Khandaker had touched her while she was at the restaurant. The matter was later discussed in the Soomi TV newsroom.

Allegations that the woman who made the complaint was pressured to remain silent about the incident also surfaced in various media outlets. However, due to the lack of independent investigation into these allegations or public statements from all parties involved, it has not been possible to independently verify each aspect of the incidents.

Meanwhile, an audio statement of the complaining female journalist has also been reported to have been circulated on social media and various online platforms.

Recently, another incident surrounding Mujtaba Khandaker sparked discussion in the Samoi TV newsroom.

Citing relevant sources, a previously published report said that on the afternoon of September 20, Mujtaba Khandaker took a female presenter from another television station to the room of Sadaf, head of Somoy TV’s digital department. Later, a discussion started in the newsroom about the door of the room being locked from the inside and the two coming out after a long time.

Sources claim that they were in the room for more than half an hour. Despite knocking several times, the door did not open initially. Later, it is alleged that they came out of the room when office workers and seniors gathered there.

However, no official statement has been received from Mujtaba Khandaker, the female presenter concerned, or the Somoy TV authorities regarding the real cause of the incident or what happened there. As a result, the issues related to this are being considered as allegations and statements from sources.

Amidst the allegations leveled against Mujtaba Khandaker, journalists from Soami TV staged a direct protest on Wednesday afternoon demanding her removal.

The protesters went to the HR-Admin department to voice their grievances and demands. Sources said that a significant number of female employees participated in the protest.

Amidst such a situation among the employees within the organization, news came that Mujtaba Khandaker was coming to the office in the afternoon. After he entered the television building, tension arose again in the newsroom.

A section of the news workers expressed dissatisfaction with his presence, and a new discussion began within the organization about the situation.

Later, the authorities decided to send him on compulsory leave. It is reported that he left the television building soon after the decision.

Meanwhile, sources said that a ‘pen down’ program is planned for female employees of Soami TV tomorrow, Thursday, amid the situation surrounding Mujtaba Khandaker.

Sources said that women activists are demanding an investigation into the allegations against Mujtaba Khandaker and her removal.

Although the situation has temporarily calmed down with the decision to send the workers on mandatory leave after Wednesday’s protest, discussions are ongoing among the workers about what the situation will be like within the organization surrounding the upcoming program.

Reports have previously been published in various media outlets, including BD Digest, about allegations of harassment of female journalists surrounding Mujtaba Khandaker, the recent controversy over female presenters, and the dissatisfaction of journalists.

However, Mujtaba Khandaker’s full statement and the official explanation from Soimo Television authorities regarding these allegations have not yet been made public.

The issues of safety at the workplace, professional environment for journalists, and proper investigation of complaints by female colleagues have come into the spotlight. At the same time, the need for impartial investigations and hearings from all parties involved to determine the truth of the allegations has also come to the fore.

Meanwhile, concerned journalists are monitoring the situation inside Soami TV surrounding the decision to send Mujtaba Khandaker on compulsory leave.