Dhaka: The declaration of the daily newspaper Jai Jai Din has been revoked, leading to protest by employees in management as well as those currently employed with it. The move follows an application filed by Shafik Rehman-the erstwhile editor of that newspaper.
Kazi Rukunuddin Ahmed, who is the acting editor of Jai Jai Din, said that the Revocation declaration is strongly opposed by him at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters' Unity. He condemned this illegal occupation of the newspaper's main office and the printing press by what he termed a group led by Shafik Rehman.
According to Rukunuddin, that group also deceived and used lies to control that newspaper and undervalue the paper's current ownership under Sayed Hossain Chowdhury.
Rukunuddin explained that the office of Jai Jai Din in the Tejgaon industrial area had been occupied and continued printing at another facility but after due notification to the District Commissioner's office.
Despite these, the declaration was revoked on the heels of the interference of Shafik Rehman. The government was also censured by Rukunuddin for allowing such an influential group to manipulate the system and nullify the declaration of a legally operating media outlet in spite of the government stressing media freedom.
Protest continues to signify the intensifying apprehension about the control of the media along with the transparency of those legal processes that concern the press. It would take much of the combined work of journalists and media folk to reclaim the rights of their publication and defend its independence.
[ Source Credit: Dhaka Tribune ]
