DHAKA, July 6, 2021 (BSS) - Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) has
strongly condemned a report of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a
France based international non-profit organization, on press freedom
in Bangladesh saying the report was made on misleading and
unacceptable information.

   In a statement issued here today, DUJ President Quddus Afrad and
General Secretary Sajjad Alam Khan Topu said publishing of the report
is an evil attempt to make the Bangladeshi media controversial.

   They urged the journalists' community to remain alert about the matter.

   In the statement, the organization said the RSF report wrongly
displayed the position of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

  The DUJ leaders said the journalists-friendly prime minister is
working tirelessly for flourishing of media and wellbeing of
journalists community.

   During the four terms of the government led by Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, various initiatives have been taken for flourishing of
media including providing television license in private sector,
forming Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust and formulating proper
policy in running online portal, the statement said.

   The rules of issuing summon instead of arresting journalists in
defamation cases centering news reports has also been formulated
during her government tenure and the journalists community in
Bangladesh are also enjoying the benefits of it, it said.

   The DUJ leaders said comments in social media reveal mindset of
individuals which is out of the purview of practice of journalism.

  They urged the RSJ to consider the matter with importance.