July Journalists’ Unity (JJU) Makes Formal Debut, Vows to Uphold Press Freedom
The July Journalists’ Unity (JJU), a platform of journalists who participated in or supported the July mass uprising, has formally made its debut at a programme held at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The new organisation aims to bring together journalists committed to the spirit of the July uprising and work collectively to uphold press freedom, professional dignity, accountability and the public’s right to information.
At the inaugural programme and discussion held at the Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Thursday, September 10, the committee was announced by Shamsiara Zaman, mother of martyred journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo.
Saifur Sagor, editor of Face the People, was elected Convener, while Ahsan Kamrul of Channel i was elected Member Secretary.
The other members of the convening committee include Lutfur Rahman Badal, Publisher of Dainik Jatiya Arthaniti; Talukder Rumi, Editor of Dainik Panjeri; Mahmud Rakib of Ekon TV; Akhtar Habib of Channel i; Syed Shemul Parvez of The New Nation; Riazur Rahman Riaz of Daily Industry; and Israfil Farazi of Dainik Janakantha as Joint Conveners.
Serving as Joint Member Secretaries are Abdur Rahim of Dainik Janakantha; Kefayet Shakil of Banglavision; Nurul Islam Khan Mamun of VOD Bangla; Obaidur Rahman, freelance journalist; AKM Rezaul Karim, freelance journalist; Nizam Uddin Darbes of Dainik Bartaman; and Rahmatullah of Dainik Rupali Bangladesh.
Among the members of the committee are Khomeni Ehsan, Editor of Online Bangla; Al Imran of ATN Bangla; Ontu Mojahid of Asia Post; Jalal Ahmed of Dainik Jayjaydin; Rakesh Rahman, freelance journalist; Sazzad Hossain of Sonali News; Fakhrul Islam, Digital Head of Dainik Ittefaq; Abu Bakar Siddique of RTNN; Miftahul Jannat of Dainik Manabzamin; Farzana Bobby of BanglaNews; Tasbir Iqbal of Bangladesh Times; Morshed Alam of Notun Asha; Kefayet Rumi of Desh Rupantor; Mehedi Hasan Bappi of Desh TV; Rashed Manik of Channel i; Omar Faruk of Banglavision; HM Imran Hossain of Star News; and Mehraj Rabbi of Azad Bani.
Speaking at the event, Convener Saifur Sagor said the JJU had been formed in response to the demands of the time and would remain open to all journalists who support the spirit of July.
“Journalists of the July movement will remain united and work together to put the media on the right track,” he said.
Member Secretary Ahsan Kamrul said although the mainstream media could not play the proper role during the July mass uprising, people still had expectations from the media.
“We have united with the aim of working with journalists who participated in the July uprising to fulfil those expectations,” he said.
Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, stressed the importance of self-criticism before criticising others.
“We must critically examine ourselves before criticising others. We should not become like those who came before us,” he said, urging journalists and others to promote creative and inspiring works rather than expressions that could hurt people.
AKM Elias, Principal of Dhaka College, said the participation of journalists was essential to the uprising, noting that even a small degree of support from journalists had contributed to the movement.
He urged journalists to continue working for the country instead of becoming blinded by political allegiance.
Renowned photographer Shahidul Alam said journalists themselves had once put up Sheikh Hasina’s photograph at the Press Club and cautioned against repeating such practices.
“Journalism must be conducted impartially for the people of the country so that journalists do not have to flee when the government changes,” he said.
Journalist and political analyst Syed Shemul Parvez, one of the Joint Conveners of the JJU, said multimedia journalists, content creators and mobile journalists played a crucial role during the July uprising.
“If multimedia journalists, content creators and mobile journalists had not come forward during the July mass uprising, the fall of the Hasina government would have been almost impossible,” he said.
He alleged that most mainstream media outlets at the time had acted as “subservient supporters and servants” of the authoritarian government and called for an end to such practices.
“We do not want to see any journalist in Bangladesh serving as a stooge or blindly serving those in power in the days ahead,” Parvez said.
Talukder Rumi, another Joint Convener of the JJU, said many journalists had participated in movements and struggles even during the period of authoritarian rule.
“They were deprived then, and they are still deprived,” he said, adding that the JJU would work to ensure the legitimate rights and due recognition of journalists associated with the July movement.
In his welcome speech, JJU member and Editor of Online Bangla Khomeni Ehsan said the organisation had been established around the fundamental principle of ensuring journalists’ right to speak the truth without fear.
“The commitment of this organisation is to ensure that attacks, lawsuits or threats of dismissal cannot silence a journalist’s pen,” he said.
“Our position is in favour of press freedom, professional dignity and the people’s right to know,” Ehsan added.
Kabir Hossain, father of martyred Jabi Ibrahim, and Shamsiara Zaman, mother of martyred journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, also addressed the programme.
They welcomed the formation of the organisation, saying that although it had come into being somewhat late, they hoped it would play a meaningful role. They also stressed that even an extreme opponent should not become a victim of injustice.
The programme was attended by prominent academics, families of those killed during the July uprising, journalists, media professionals and leaders of the journalism community.
