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On September 4, nine newspaper journalists in Satkhira, Bangladesh, received death threats and burial shrouds through the postal service, warning against reporting matters relating to Islamic groups. According to IFJ sources, the threats may be connected to the journalists' investigative reports on a sequence of bomb blasts across the country. Death threats have become increasingly common against journalists in Bangladesh, and the government is being called upon to investigate and put a stop to them.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, condemns ongoing threats against journalists in Bangladesh and calls on authorities to immediately take action.
On September 4, nine newspaper journalists in Satkhira received death threats and burial shrouds through the postal service.
The letters warned against reporting matters relating to Islamic groups and spread fear among the journalists.
"This incident is the latest in a string of attempts to frighten journalists into silence and censor the independent press," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
"Death threats are becoming a pervasive and insidious part of daily life for journalists in Bangladesh, preventing them from freely reporting matters in the public interest," said the IFJ President.
"Government authorities must investigate and put an immediate stop to these incitements of fear. The message needs to be clear: the intimidation of journalists and their families will not be tolerated," said Warren.
Journalists Kalyan Banarjee of Prothom Alo, Abul Kalam Azad of Potrodut, Abu Ahmed of Daily Star, Mizanur Rahman of Janakantha, Subhash Chowdhury of Jugantor, Ramkrishna Chakrabarty of Samokal, Yarab Hossain of Runner, Kalidas Roy of Janata, and Raghunath Kha of Janmobhumi, each received the letters at the Satkhira Reporters' Club.
According to IFJ sources, the threats may be connected to the journalists' investigative reports on a sequence of bomb blasts across the country.
Last month, seven journalists in Bagerhat received death threats via post, warning against writing about "our MP".
"The intimidation of journalists is a direct violation of civil rights and liberties which are the basic tools for a successful democracy," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
"The government must act now to protect the rights and safety of journalists and end these assaults on press freedom," said the IFJ President.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.
**For further information on recent death threats against journalists in Bagerhat, see IFEX alert of 2 September 2005**
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