The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) presented a comprehensive 39-point demand aimed at safeguarding media freedom and securing the rights of journalists nationwide.
BFUJ Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury outlined the demands on Saturday during a rally in front of the National Press Club, stressing the urgent need for structural and legal reforms to protect journalism and uphold democratic accountability.
The demands call for the immediate implementation of the "No Wage Board, No Media" policy, the formation of an independent and effective information commission, and a journalist protection policy to prevent harassment, torture, and killings - including swift trials in high-profile cases such as that of the journalist couple Sagar-Runi.
BFUJ also called for a two-day weekly leave for journalists, abolition of all anti-freedom and anti-independence media laws, and the establishment of separate labor courts to ensure fair wages.
"Journalists must not face arbitrary dismissal, and those already dismissed must be reinstated with all dues paid within 90 days," Chowdhury said, urging adherence to proper appointment procedures and professional rights.
The union emphasized the need for a uniform wage board across print, electronic, online, radio, and multimedia platforms, implementation of the ninth wage board, and formation of the tenth. Compensation for equipment damages, accident insurance, and salaries reflecting annual inflation were also included in the demands.
BFUJ highlighted the necessity of legal frameworks ensuring media independence, prohibiting intelligence agency interference, and preventing private or corporate control of media outlets.
Additional demands include reforming media registration, correcting advertising rate manipulations, reducing import duty and taxes on newsprint, and declaring the media sector an industry to ensure sustainable development.
The union further urged political parties to guarantee press freedom in their election manifestos, calling for a fear-free environment and strict action against mob justice.
"Journalism should be unhindered, and journalists must be empowered to serve the public without fear or restriction," Chowdhury asserted. Journalists across the country held protests on Friday echoing these demands.
Meanwhile, claiming that the expected transformation in the country's media sector has not yet materialized following the July student uprising, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Assistant Secretary-General Ehteshamul Haque Shawon said that "the allies of fascism have once again established dominance over media houses."
He said the ongoing incidents of repression against journalists prove that the conspiracy of partisan forces against the media is far from over.
