Bangladesh North American Journalists' Network (BNJNET) Condemns Revocation of Journalists' Accreditation and Press Club Memberships

The Bangladesh North American Journalists' Network (BNJNET), led by Freedom Fighter Delwar Jahid, its president, has expressed grave concern over the recent cancellation of accreditation cards for more than 100 journalists and the termination of memberships at the National Press Club.

BNJNET issued a statement critiquing the decision as a severe blow to press freedom and tarnishing the interim government's reputation. The statement emphasized that this action raises questions about the government's commitment to upholding freedom of the press and freedom of expression—critical pillars of any democratic society.

BNJNET highlighted that one of the affected journalists is the publisher-editor of the country's oldest daily newspaper, underscoring the severity and breadth of the issue. The organization stressed that such actions evoke memories of past media repression, which the nation has worked hard to overcome.

The BNJNET statement urged the interim government to immediately reverse the cancellations within 48 hours, enabling journalists to continue their essential work without undue restrictions. The organization hoped that the interim administration would take swift and thoughtful steps to foster an environment of press freedom.

BNJNET also called upon journalist associations, unions, press clubs and media organizations at both national and international levels to protest these actions and stand in solidarity with Bangladesh's journalists. The press release concluded with a firm appeal to protect media freedom as an indispensable cornerstone of democracy and good governance.