OCAB demands immediate reversal of journalist accreditation cancellations in Bangladesh

CHT Desk:

The Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), representing foreign journalists in Dhaka, has sharply criticized the government’s decision to revoke the accreditation of independent journalists without explanation, calling the move a direct attack on press freedom.

In an urgent call for action, OCAB demanded that the government immediately reinstate the credentials of the 167 journalists affected, including several of its senior members, stressing that this abrupt decision contradicts the interim administration’s public commitment to fostering a free and open media environment.

The association further urged the government to halt any further attempts to strip additional journalists of their accreditation, warning that such actions would deepen concerns about the future of independent journalism in the country.

“Any attempt to silence media is a threat to independent journalism, which will eventually derail the aspiration of the people to establish democracy in the country,” said OCAB in a statement.

OCAB believes in independent journalism, and it hopes that the interim government would do everything to uphold the spirit of the freedom of expression and press freedom to establish a sustainable democracy in the country.

OCAB also denounced the unfounded charges of murder and attempted murder against several journalists, calling them an egregious violation of press freedom.

These charges, OCAB emphasized, are incompatible with the government’s stated goals of promoting a free and fearless press, especially under the leadership of Nobel Peace laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who has publicly committed to upholding human rights.

The association’s strong condemnation follows a meeting of its Executive Committee on November 16, 2024, where OCAB leadership expressed grave concern over the escalating harassment of journalists.

The group echoed the calls of prominent international media organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders, and the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA), as well as local press bodies such as the Editors’ Council.

These groups have collectively demanded an immediate end to the harassment of media professionals in Bangladesh.

OCAB reaffirmed its steadfast belief in the importance of independent journalism, asserting that it remains a cornerstone of democratic governance.

The association also expressed cautious optimism following the government’s recent decision to repeal the controversial Cyber Security Act, a law seen as a tool for suppressing free speech.

“We appreciate the government’s move to scrap the Cyber Security Act,” the statement also reads.

OCAB’s statement underscores a critical moment for press freedom in Bangladesh, with global and local media organizations rallying behind journalists’ rights to report without fear or obstruction.