Journalists sitting duck to lethal attacks

Journalism carries with it the hazards of the profession; in Bangladesh it is even more so. We are faced with assault from many sides. Gathering information as well as reporting events truthfully are fraught with unforeseen dangers. Yet the journalist community in Bangladesh have been unflinching in their professional pursuits, fully aware of the dangers that go with their mission. Needless to say, such selfless yet hazardous endeavour stems from our commitment to expose the truth as well as the evil that work against the country's interest. This is also in keeping with the desire to fulfil the people's right to know and attacks against the press can be seen as nothing but an effort to stifle its voice.

There is a fear psychosis amongst the entire community of Khulna journalists because of death threats made against the frontline journalists of this area for their reportage. Such threats are common knowledge, which we are sure the law enforcing and intelligence agencies are well aware of.

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Both the recent cases of death due to bomb attacks remain sub judice, yet one wonders whether we would ever be able to know the identity of the real culprits behind these attacks.

It is our demand that not only do the authorities get to the bottom of these attacks but also take appropriate measures to protect journalists who have become an endangered species in the line of duty.