Journalists stage protest on World Press Freedom Day, demand courtroom access
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Journalists covering the Supreme Court beat formed a human chain with black cloth tied over their mouths to mark World Press Freedom Day, demanding the immediate withdrawal of restrictions on journalists entering SC courtrooms and ensuring access to gather news.
The human chain was held in front of the main gate of the Supreme Court on Sunday at noon.
The programme was organised by the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF).
Speaking at the event, journalist leaders said that for the last four months, media personnel have not been allowed to enter the Appellate Division courtroom and several benches of the High Court Division.
They pointed out that courtrooms are public spaces where judicial proceedings remain open for public observation.
Therefore, obstructing journalists from observing court proceedings and collecting news is not only a professional barrier but also a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 39 of the Bangladesh Constitution.
The leaders further said that journalists had enjoyed unrestricted access to the Appellate Division courtroom for decades to cover court proceedings.
However, since Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury assumed office as Chief Justice, restrictions were imposed on journalists entering the courtrooms.
They stressed that ensuring free flow of information and a transparent judiciary requires maintaining journalists’ access to courts and all public places, which is a constitutional responsibility of the state and administration
They also urged authorities not to create any obstacles in carrying out the professional duties of Supreme Court journalists.
Among those who addressed the programme were SRF president Masudur Rahman Rana, general secretary Mehedi Hasan Dalim, and Channel i Special Correspondent Mazharul Haque Manna.
Also present were former SRF General Secretary Golam Rabbani, current Treasurer Kamrul Islam Fakir, Office Secretary Mainul Ahsan, Executive Committee Member Didarul Alam, Syeda Sabrina Majumdar, and more than a hundred journalists working on the Supreme Court beat.