In June, at least four journalists were received death threat and threat in three different incidents, 14 journalists came under attack in seven incidents, four cases were filed against eight journalists and one was harassed in another incident. However, no unnatural death or murder was reported during this period.
Death Threat/ Threat:
On June 2, Arefin Shahid, Bawfal correspondent of the daily Jugantor, has death threatened by Chhattra league leader activists through mobile phone. He was filed a general dairy (GD) with Bawfal Police Station in this connection.
On June 7, some local terrorists have threatened two journalists of the daily Dinkal in Rupganj due to publish report against them. The victims were Amanullah Kabir, Editor of the Dinkal, and another Rupganj correspondent. The terrorists were also said that they are going to firing the Press Club if the journalists were publish any news item against them.
On June 9, Bikash Chowdhury, Potiya correspondent of the daily Janakantho, has threatened to fire his permanent residence in Chittaganj by identified local terrorist, Shahidul Islam Julu, due to publish a report against him. Bikash filed a case against him with Potiya police Station in this connection but the police have treated this report as a general dairy (GD).
On June 16, Md. Rezaul Kabir Rajib, Tongi (Gazipur) correspondent of the daily Jai Jai Din, was death threatened while he was going to his residence. He has threatened by some local terrorists due to published news item against them. Kala Billal as Kaila Billal was given threat to him and his family. Rajib was filed a general dairy (GD) against Kala with Tongi Police Station in this connection.
Attack/ Physical Assault:
On June 7, Tipu Sultan, a reporter of regional daily Sabuj Sylhet, a local journalist was critically injured in an attack by a gang of miscreants in Sylhet while he was returning his residence from Derai municipality town in Sunamganj. According to police, the gang backed by Derai municipality mayor Ahmed Miah hit Tipu with iron rods, leaving him severely injured and has admitted to Derai Upazila Health Complex.
On June7, some local terrorists attacked M S Rony, Assistant Producer, Milon Mahmud, Assistant Programmer, Cameraman Masud Chowdhury, and Joynal Khan, Assistant Cameraman. They are the team member of 'X-Crime', which is broadcast in BanglaVision television, while they were doing their professional duty. At first terrorists were captured them for two hours and then beaten them very badly. The victims were filed report with police station but police didn't do anything. But police super Md. Safiqul Islam said, He didn't know anything about this matter.
On June 13, Saiful Islam Talukder, special correspondent of the daily Amader Shomoy, ex-Vice President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and organizing secretary of Chandpur Zila Samity in Dhaka, was beaten up by angry mob inside Chandpur Shilpakala Academy after the departure of Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni. Saiful Islam was conducting the function. Chhattra League activists were attacked him very severely and the victim was admitted to Monoyara hospital. But after that, leader of Chhattra League was apology to Saiful Islam Talukder.
On June 16, Abu Saleh, former Acting Secretary of Dhaka Journalist Union (DJU), was physical assaulted by some local people because of express different opinion on a topic. They were used slang words and harassed him very badly.
On June 17, Tapos Kanti Das, the daily New Age staff correspondent in Khulna and also Khulna Press Club assistant secretary, was assaulted and attacked by a staff of Khulna Medical College Hospital outdoor ticket counter at around 10:30 am while he went to buy a ticket for treatment at the hospital. According to witnesses, the staff, namely Kabir, asked Tapos to go away from the place instantly and began to hurl abusive words on him. Tapos lodged a general diary (GD) with the Sonadanga model thana in the Khulna city in this connection.
On June 17, Masum Billah, Araihazar correspondent of the daily Dinkal and also secretary of the Araihazar section organization known as National Journalist Organization, was attacked and beaten by some local terrorists in front of his office at 10 am. Masum said they were well prepared when they attacked him. They were also use slang words at him and beaten him severely. Local people had taken him to nearby hospital.
On June 20, Suman Sarker, Pakundia Press Club Organizing Secretary in Kishorganj and correspondent of the daily shatabdi kantha, was attacked by some local terrorists at evening. Terrorists were harassed Suman and used slang words. He injured very badly and had admitted to pakundia Hospital.
On June 21, Maidur Rahman, Narayanganj correspondent, and Anik, Cameraman of the Islami Television, were attacked by fair authority. While they were taking picture of local gambling board at local fair at Shidhhirganj Thana in Narayanganj.
On June 21, Julfiker Ali Bhutta, Domar district correspondent of the daily Dinkal, was harassed and attacked by Aminur Rahman and Shopan. They had disturbed a schoolgirl. Julfiker was trying to protect that girl from them. At that time, they had beaten very badly. Local people had admitted him to Domar Health Complex for treatment.
Case/Legal Notice:
On June 6, Akash Mahmud, editor of the monthly Shachittra Shutaran, was death threatened by some local identified terrorists due to demand money from him. Osman, the terrorist, was asked him to give money. Akash was filed a general dairy (GD) with Sabujbag Police Station in this connection.
On June 7, Lalmonirhat Senior Judicial Magistrate was filed a case against 5 journalists of the daily Samakal due to published a report which against them on June 3. The victims were A. K. Azad, Publisher, Golam Sarwer, Editor, Chowdhury Aftabul Islam, Acting News Editor, Kahirul Bashar Shamim, Mofassal Editor and Ahmedur Rahman Mukul, Lalmonirhat correspondent of the daily Samakal.
On June 8, Bagum Khaleda Zia, former president and BNP chairperson and othre senior leaders, were sending legal notice to Bangladesh Television (BTV) due to published false report and stop to broadcast function against leaders of BNP.
On June 11, Chittaganj's Shift In charge Judicial Magistrate was filed a case against Abeduzaman Amiri, Potiya correspondent of the daily Azadi. The case was filed because of publish false and fraud news report against him.
Harassment:
On June 7, Johurul Islam, Pabna staff reporter of the daily Amar Desh, has harassed and beaten up by some Policemen while they were doing their professional job. After that the victims were demanded penalty against ASP (Sadar Sarket) Nijam Uddin and SI Motiur Rahman of Pabna Police Station.
Others:
On June 15, Bangladesh Television Terrestrial Telecast Protection Facilities Bill-2009 was placed in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) with a view to protecting the terrestrial broadcasting facilities right to the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV). Information Minister Abdul Kalam Azad placed the bill in the house, which sent it to the parliamentary standing committee on Information Ministry for scrutiny and further review. The committee has been asked to submit its report on the bill within this month.
On June 16, 189 daily newspapers were enlisted from 2001 to 2008 said by Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul kalam Azad. He said that 101 newspapers were enlisted in Dhaka and the rest 88 in mufassil areas. He also said, 14 newspapers were enlisted in Dhaka and 29 in mufassil in 2001, 20 in Dhaka and 13 in mufassil in 2002, 23 in Dhaka and 16 in mufassil in 2003, 17 in Dhaka and 15 in mufassil in 2004, 15 in Dhaka and six in mufassil in 2005, eight in Dhaka and five in mufassil in 2006, one in Dhaka and five in mufassil in 2007 and three in Dhaka and three in mufassil in 2008.
Channel One went off air on June 22 after the private station failed to pay five months fees for the satellite transponder. One official claimed transmission stopped due to technical reasons, but the station defaulted on payments to the tune of $106,000, fees accumulated since January 15. Transmission is suspended temporarily.
International:
On June 2, Alaa Abdul Wahab, a correspondent for the Al-Baghdadia channel and a leading newspaper journalist, and wounded Dr Sultan Jurjis, a university academic and sports presenter with a rival TV station was killed when a bomb attached to the victim’s car exploded in the northern city of Mosul. The blast happened at around 4:00 am in Rasheed market in the Dora district of Baghdad, an interior ministry official said.
On June 8, the director of Somalia's Shabelle radio network was gunned down in Moadishu, one of his colleagues who were also wounded in the attack. According to the witnesses, the assassination of Mokhtar Mohammad Hirabe took place in the capital's restive Bakara area. Hirabe was shot in the head twice and he fell to the ground while he was hit in the stomach and in the hand. Another Somali radio journalist was killed in clashes in month of May.
On June 21, A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity in Afghanistan and Pakistan by climbing over a wall. David S Rohde, was abducted November 10 along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver south of the Afghan capital, kabul. While he had been traveling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander.
Death Threat/ Threat:
On June 2, Arefin Shahid, Bawfal correspondent of the daily Jugantor, has death threatened by Chhattra league leader activists through mobile phone. He was filed a general dairy (GD) with Bawfal Police Station in this connection.
On June 7, some local terrorists have threatened two journalists of the daily Dinkal in Rupganj due to publish report against them. The victims were Amanullah Kabir, Editor of the Dinkal, and another Rupganj correspondent. The terrorists were also said that they are going to firing the Press Club if the journalists were publish any news item against them.
On June 9, Bikash Chowdhury, Potiya correspondent of the daily Janakantho, has threatened to fire his permanent residence in Chittaganj by identified local terrorist, Shahidul Islam Julu, due to publish a report against him. Bikash filed a case against him with Potiya police Station in this connection but the police have treated this report as a general dairy (GD).
On June 16, Md. Rezaul Kabir Rajib, Tongi (Gazipur) correspondent of the daily Jai Jai Din, was death threatened while he was going to his residence. He has threatened by some local terrorists due to published news item against them. Kala Billal as Kaila Billal was given threat to him and his family. Rajib was filed a general dairy (GD) against Kala with Tongi Police Station in this connection.
Attack/ Physical Assault:
On June 7, Tipu Sultan, a reporter of regional daily Sabuj Sylhet, a local journalist was critically injured in an attack by a gang of miscreants in Sylhet while he was returning his residence from Derai municipality town in Sunamganj. According to police, the gang backed by Derai municipality mayor Ahmed Miah hit Tipu with iron rods, leaving him severely injured and has admitted to Derai Upazila Health Complex.
On June7, some local terrorists attacked M S Rony, Assistant Producer, Milon Mahmud, Assistant Programmer, Cameraman Masud Chowdhury, and Joynal Khan, Assistant Cameraman. They are the team member of 'X-Crime', which is broadcast in BanglaVision television, while they were doing their professional duty. At first terrorists were captured them for two hours and then beaten them very badly. The victims were filed report with police station but police didn't do anything. But police super Md. Safiqul Islam said, He didn't know anything about this matter.
On June 13, Saiful Islam Talukder, special correspondent of the daily Amader Shomoy, ex-Vice President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and organizing secretary of Chandpur Zila Samity in Dhaka, was beaten up by angry mob inside Chandpur Shilpakala Academy after the departure of Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni. Saiful Islam was conducting the function. Chhattra League activists were attacked him very severely and the victim was admitted to Monoyara hospital. But after that, leader of Chhattra League was apology to Saiful Islam Talukder.
On June 16, Abu Saleh, former Acting Secretary of Dhaka Journalist Union (DJU), was physical assaulted by some local people because of express different opinion on a topic. They were used slang words and harassed him very badly.
On June 17, Tapos Kanti Das, the daily New Age staff correspondent in Khulna and also Khulna Press Club assistant secretary, was assaulted and attacked by a staff of Khulna Medical College Hospital outdoor ticket counter at around 10:30 am while he went to buy a ticket for treatment at the hospital. According to witnesses, the staff, namely Kabir, asked Tapos to go away from the place instantly and began to hurl abusive words on him. Tapos lodged a general diary (GD) with the Sonadanga model thana in the Khulna city in this connection.
On June 17, Masum Billah, Araihazar correspondent of the daily Dinkal and also secretary of the Araihazar section organization known as National Journalist Organization, was attacked and beaten by some local terrorists in front of his office at 10 am. Masum said they were well prepared when they attacked him. They were also use slang words at him and beaten him severely. Local people had taken him to nearby hospital.
On June 20, Suman Sarker, Pakundia Press Club Organizing Secretary in Kishorganj and correspondent of the daily shatabdi kantha, was attacked by some local terrorists at evening. Terrorists were harassed Suman and used slang words. He injured very badly and had admitted to pakundia Hospital.
On June 21, Maidur Rahman, Narayanganj correspondent, and Anik, Cameraman of the Islami Television, were attacked by fair authority. While they were taking picture of local gambling board at local fair at Shidhhirganj Thana in Narayanganj.
On June 21, Julfiker Ali Bhutta, Domar district correspondent of the daily Dinkal, was harassed and attacked by Aminur Rahman and Shopan. They had disturbed a schoolgirl. Julfiker was trying to protect that girl from them. At that time, they had beaten very badly. Local people had admitted him to Domar Health Complex for treatment.
Case/Legal Notice:
On June 6, Akash Mahmud, editor of the monthly Shachittra Shutaran, was death threatened by some local identified terrorists due to demand money from him. Osman, the terrorist, was asked him to give money. Akash was filed a general dairy (GD) with Sabujbag Police Station in this connection.
On June 7, Lalmonirhat Senior Judicial Magistrate was filed a case against 5 journalists of the daily Samakal due to published a report which against them on June 3. The victims were A. K. Azad, Publisher, Golam Sarwer, Editor, Chowdhury Aftabul Islam, Acting News Editor, Kahirul Bashar Shamim, Mofassal Editor and Ahmedur Rahman Mukul, Lalmonirhat correspondent of the daily Samakal.
On June 8, Bagum Khaleda Zia, former president and BNP chairperson and othre senior leaders, were sending legal notice to Bangladesh Television (BTV) due to published false report and stop to broadcast function against leaders of BNP.
On June 11, Chittaganj's Shift In charge Judicial Magistrate was filed a case against Abeduzaman Amiri, Potiya correspondent of the daily Azadi. The case was filed because of publish false and fraud news report against him.
Harassment:
On June 7, Johurul Islam, Pabna staff reporter of the daily Amar Desh, has harassed and beaten up by some Policemen while they were doing their professional job. After that the victims were demanded penalty against ASP (Sadar Sarket) Nijam Uddin and SI Motiur Rahman of Pabna Police Station.
Others:
On June 15, Bangladesh Television Terrestrial Telecast Protection Facilities Bill-2009 was placed in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) with a view to protecting the terrestrial broadcasting facilities right to the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV). Information Minister Abdul Kalam Azad placed the bill in the house, which sent it to the parliamentary standing committee on Information Ministry for scrutiny and further review. The committee has been asked to submit its report on the bill within this month.
On June 16, 189 daily newspapers were enlisted from 2001 to 2008 said by Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul kalam Azad. He said that 101 newspapers were enlisted in Dhaka and the rest 88 in mufassil areas. He also said, 14 newspapers were enlisted in Dhaka and 29 in mufassil in 2001, 20 in Dhaka and 13 in mufassil in 2002, 23 in Dhaka and 16 in mufassil in 2003, 17 in Dhaka and 15 in mufassil in 2004, 15 in Dhaka and six in mufassil in 2005, eight in Dhaka and five in mufassil in 2006, one in Dhaka and five in mufassil in 2007 and three in Dhaka and three in mufassil in 2008.
Channel One went off air on June 22 after the private station failed to pay five months fees for the satellite transponder. One official claimed transmission stopped due to technical reasons, but the station defaulted on payments to the tune of $106,000, fees accumulated since January 15. Transmission is suspended temporarily.
International:
On June 2, Alaa Abdul Wahab, a correspondent for the Al-Baghdadia channel and a leading newspaper journalist, and wounded Dr Sultan Jurjis, a university academic and sports presenter with a rival TV station was killed when a bomb attached to the victim’s car exploded in the northern city of Mosul. The blast happened at around 4:00 am in Rasheed market in the Dora district of Baghdad, an interior ministry official said.
On June 8, the director of Somalia's Shabelle radio network was gunned down in Moadishu, one of his colleagues who were also wounded in the attack. According to the witnesses, the assassination of Mokhtar Mohammad Hirabe took place in the capital's restive Bakara area. Hirabe was shot in the head twice and he fell to the ground while he was hit in the stomach and in the hand. Another Somali radio journalist was killed in clashes in month of May.
On June 21, A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity in Afghanistan and Pakistan by climbing over a wall. David S Rohde, was abducted November 10 along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver south of the Afghan capital, kabul. While he had been traveling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander.
