Ahmed Abu Jafar, President of the Central Command Council of the Committee for Prevention of Attacks on Journalists and Chairman of the Trustee Board of the Bangladesh Mofussil Journalist Forum, has given the government a three-month ultimatum to enact a law ensuring the safety and protection of journalists.
He warned that if the Journalist Protection Law is not enacted by November, journalists will launch a movement and force the government to enact the law.
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Ahmed Abu Jafar made the remarks while speaking as the chief speaker at a discussion and introduction programme organized by the newly formed Cumilla District Committee of the Committee for Prevention of Attacks on Journalists in Cumilla on Saturday (August 8, 2026).
‘You Want Good News, But No Protection’
Ahmed Abu Jafar said, “You want good news from journalists, but you will not ensure their safety and protection—this cannot be accepted in any way. No government has taken effective measures for journalists. Journalists, who are known as the conscience of the nation, have been kept waiting with various assurances for the past 55 years.”
He said there is a lack of government initiative regarding several important issues, including enacting a Journalist Protection Law, formulating a journalist recruitment policy and preparing a comprehensive list of journalists.
He stressed that a Media Commission should be formed immediately to protect the existence and dignity of journalism and to undertake comprehensive reforms in the country’s media sector.
‘Journalist Repression Has Reached an Alarming Level’
Ahmed Abu Jafar further said the level of repression against journalists in the country has increased alarmingly. Even sensitive cases involving the murder of journalists are not receiving proper judicial outcomes, while many accused individuals are securing bail.
He said that 53 journalists have been killed in Bangladesh since independence, yet the trials of most of these murder cases have not been completed.
“Such discriminatory treatment of journalists cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he said.
City Administrator Assures Support
Speaking as the chief guest, Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said he would ensure that journalists do not face harassment or intimidation while carrying out their professional duties.
He said, “I am with the journalists, and InshaAllah, I will continue to stand by them.”
The programme was chaired by Omar Faruqi Tapas, President of the Cumilla District Committee of the Committee for Prevention of Attacks on Journalists, and conducted by the committee’s General Secretary Abu Bakar Siddique and Joint General Secretary BM Mahিউddin Monti.
Journalist Leaders Attend Programme
Among those present as special guests were Omar Faruk Miaji, Organizing Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Mofussil Journalist Forum; Abul Hasnat Babul, former president of the Cumilla Press Club; newly elected President Enamul Haque Faruk; senior journalist Sahidullah; former convenor of the Press Club Nitish Saha; Sadiq Mamun, Staff Reporter of Dainik Inqilab; Shahzada Emran, Editor of Cumillar Jamin; and Jasim Uddin Chashi, Editor of Dainik Samaj Kantha.
Also speaking at the programme were Joint Organizing Secretary GK Russell, central leader Kazi Salah Uddin Noman, central command council leader of the Committee for Prevention of Attacks on Journalists Sikandar Ali Kabul, and central leader Fatema Akter.
111-Member District Committee Introduced
The programme also featured the introduction of the newly formed 111-member executive committee and members of the Cumilla District Committee of the Committee for Prevention of Attacks on Journalists.
Following the president’s speech, District Committee General Secretary Abu Bakar Siddique presented the organization’s organizational roadmap and future activities.
10 Journalists Honored
At the event, 10 journalists who had faced attacks, lawsuits and various forms of harassment while collecting news in the field at different times were recognized with commemorative awards.
Special Statement
