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The Editors' Council, a national organisation of newspaper editors in Bangladesh, has demanded immediate repeal of the laws restricting press freedom and silencing the independent press.
The council also demanded the withdrawal of all harassment cases against journalists, including those filed in connection with the recent anti-quota student movement.
It said all cases filed against journalists under the Cyber Security Act (CSA) and the earlier Digital Security Act (DSA) must be dropped.
The council made the demands at a meeting at the Daily Star office in the city on Saturday, chaired by its President and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam.
Noting that offices of various newspapers and private television channels were attacked and property was destroyed during the anti-quota movement, the meeting said the council does not condone such acts.
It expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed during the student movement and sympathy for the injured.
The Editors' Council called for rejecting flattery journalism and upholding journalistic principles and professionalism.
The meeting said that previous governments took various steps to suppress and control freedom of expression, creativity and the independent media industry.
In addition, the previous government took initiatives to formulate acts like the Data Protection Act (draft), 2022, digital, social media and OTT regulation 2021 (draft), Mass Media Employees (Services Conditions) Act 2022 (draft), National Online Mass Media Policy 2017 and The Press Council (Amendment) Act 2022 (draft).
The meeting demanded the immediate cancellation of these special laws.
It also called for an end to attempts to ban government and private advertising in newspapers.
The council demanded that all activities of the government institution Department of Films and Publications (DFP) be transparent and open and that the Press Council be reformed into an effective institution.
The meeting was attended by Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, New Age Editor and Editors' Council Senior Vice-President Nurul Kabir, Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Sangbad Editor Altamash Kabir, Bonik Barta and Editors' Council General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Dhaka Tribune Editor and Editors' Council Joint Secretary Zafar Sobhan, Naya Diganta Editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, Samakal Editor Alamgir Hossain, Desh Rupantor Editor Mostafa Mamun, Protidiner Bangladesh Mustafiz Shafi and Sangbad Executive Editor Shahriar Karim.
Dainik Purbokone Editor Dr M Ramiz Uddin Chowdhury and Suprobhat Bangladesh Editor Rusho Mahmud also joined the meeting virtually.