29 more journalist’s accreditation cards been repealed

Dhaka, November 6, 2024 — The Directorate of Information has revoked the press accreditation cards of 29 journalists, effective Tuesday, November 5. This move comes after the cancellation of 20 journalists’ accreditation cards on October 28, bringing the total number of affected journalists to 49 within two weeks.

According to an official statement, the cancellations were made in accordance with the Press Accreditation Policy of 2022, specifically referencing sections 6.9, 6.10, 9.5, and 9.6. These sections outline the criteria for granting and revoking accreditation based on the professional conduct of journalists and their alignment with the policy.

The newly issued order, signed by Nizamul Kabir, the Chief Information Officer of the Press Information Department (PID), affects both permanent and temporary press accreditation cards previously granted to these individuals.

In a statement issued earlier, the Directorate of Information clarified that the cancellations were a result of the journalists’ alleged involvement with the ruling Awami League government. Specifically, the 20 journalists whose accreditation cards were revoked on October 28 were accused of either directly or indirectly supporting the government, particularly during the ‘July-August Movement,’ a recent political protest in the country. The Directorate had warned that additional revocations were likely to follow, and indeed, 29 more journalists have now been added to the list.

Among the journalists whose credentials were revoked in the latest order are prominent figures in the Bangladeshi media landscape. The list includes:

• Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Editor-in-Chief of TV Today
• Imdadul Haque Milan, Editor of Kaler Kantha
• Rahul Raha, Head of News at News24
• Nurul Amin Prabhas (Prabhash Amin), Head of News at ATN News
• Sohel Haider Chowdhury, Deputy Editor of Daily Destiny
• Mohammad Manjurul Islam, Editor-in-Chief of DBC News
• Ahmed Zobair, CEO of Saham TV
• Abed Khan, Editor of Dainik Jagran
• Jaydev Chandra Das, Senior Reporter at News24
• Deep Azad, Chief News Editor at Nagrik TV
• Zahirul Islam Mamun (J.E. Mamun), Chief Executive of ATN Bengal
• Md. Omar Farooq, Deputy Chief News Editor at Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)
• Hosne Ara Mamata Islam Soma, Special Correspondent at Channel i

Other affected journalists include:

• Haider Ali, Special Correspondent at Dainik Kaler Kantha
• Masuda Bhatti, Senior Executive Editor at Dainik Aamader Orthoniti
• Quddus Afrad, Dhaka Bureau Chief at Daily Purbakone
• Saiful Islam, Editor-in-Chief at Baisakhi TV
• Nazneen Nahar Munni, Assignment Editor at DBC News
• Nadeem Qadir, Freelance Journalist
• Madhusudan Mandal, City Editor at Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)
• Ashish Ghosh Saikat (Ashis Saikat), Chief News Editor at Independent TV
• Zafarullah Sharafat, Acting Editor at Daily Bangla
• Kishore Kumar Sarkar, Special Correspondent at Daily Ananda Bazaar
• Rafiqul Islam Ratan, Editor at Daily Bangladesh Bulletin
• Nasir Uddin, Chairman of MyTV
• Ashiqur Rahman, CEO of RTV
• Akhil Kumar Poddar, Head of Input at Ekushey TV
• Anjan Roy, Editor of Research at Gazi TV
• Ikhtiyar Uddin, News Editor at Daily Bhorer Paper

The revocations have sparked a significant debate within the media community, with critics arguing that the cancellations reflect a growing trend of state control over press freedom. Journalists and media organizations have voiced concerns over the implications for press independence and the ability to report freely without fear of retribution.

At the time of the initial cancellations, Nizamul Kabir, the Chief Information Officer, had stated that the move was part of a broader effort to curb individuals whose professional actions were seen as promoting the agenda of the ruling party. He cited the journalists’ alleged opposition to the July-August Movement as a key reason for the revocations, suggesting that the cancellations were part of a wider crackdown on media figures deemed to be politically motivated or sympathetic to government positions.

While the Directorate of Information has maintained that the actions are in line with the country’s media accreditation policy, many in the journalistic community are now questioning the broader implications for press freedom in Bangladesh. The revocations come at a time of heightened political tensions, with many media outlets and journalists feeling increasingly pressured to toe the government line.

The situation continues to evolve, with further cancellations not being ruled out, and calls for a more transparent and less politically influenced process for media accreditation growing louder among journalists’ associations and rights groups