Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shut down the only newspaper of the main opposition party, on Monday (February 20). This comes after a government suspension order was upheld by a watchdog, reported AFP. The newspaper in question is the Dainik Dinkal, a Bengali-language broadsheet, employing hundreds of journalists and press workers and has been an important voice for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for more than three decades now. The unions and journalists also staged protests over the shutdown, on Monday, in the capital city, Dhaka.&nbsp;

In a statement, two Dhaka-based journalist unions noted that the decision was a “reflection of the repression of opposition voices”, as per AFP. The closure of Dainik Dinkal was also met with small protests held by unions and journalists, on Monday, in the capital city. The authorities in the Dhaka district ordered the shutdown on December 26, but the publication was allowed to continue operations after submitting an appeal to the Press Council headed by a top high court judge.

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“The council rejected our appeal yesterday (Sunday), upholding the district magistrate's order to stop our publication,” said the Dainik Dinkal managing editor, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, to AFP. Additionally, a copy of the order procured by the news agency said that the printing permit of the newspaper was revoked for violating the country’s printing and publication laws.

The council said that the paper’s publisher and acting chief of BNP, Tarique Rahman was a convicted criminal, living in another country and left without handing his job over to another person. However, Biwas told AFP that Rahman submitted his resignation as well as appointed a new publisher but officials have refused to acknowledge these changes and said, “This shutdown is all part of the government crackdown on dissenting voices and freedom of speech”. &nbsp;

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Reportedly, the publication is said to have been covering stories that the mainstream newspapers, allegedly run by pro-government businessmen rarely did. This has led to frequent arrests of BNP activists and the party has claimed thousands of fake cases against their supporters. The closure also comes a month after the incumbent PM’s government ordered the shutdown of nearly 200 which it has accused of publishing “anti-state news” citing intelligence reports.&nbsp;

Notably, campaigners and foreign governments including the United States have previously raised concerns about media freedom in the South Asian nation under PM Hasina who has reportedly taken efforts to stifle criticism. Hasina’s government in the past few years has repeatedly ordered the shutdown of several websites, including ahead of the national elections in December 2018.&nbsp; 
 
 
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Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shut down the only newspaper of the main opposition party, on Monday (February 20). This comes after a government suspension order was upheld by a watchdog, reported AFP.

Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shut down the only newspaper of the main opposition party, on Monday (February 20). This comes after a government suspension order was upheld by a watchdog, reported AFP. The newspaper in question is the Dainik Dinkal, a Bengali-language broadsheet, employing hundreds of journalists and press workers and has been an important voice for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for more than three decades now. The unions and journalists also staged protests over the shutdown, on Monday, in the capital city, Dhaka. In a statement, two Dhaka-based journalist unions noted that the decision was a “reflection of the repression of opposition voices”, as per AFP. The closure of Dainik Dinkal was also met with small protests held by unions and journalists, on Monday, in the capital city. The authorities in the Dhaka district ordered the shutdown on December 26, but the publication was allowed to continue operations after submitting an appeal to the Press Council headed by a top high court judge. ALSO READ | Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu poised to become the next president of Bangladesh “The council rejected our appeal yesterday (Sunday), upholding the district magistrate's order to stop our publication,” said the Dainik Dinkal managing editor, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, to AFP. Additionally, a copy of the order procured by the news agency said that the printing permit of the newspaper was revoked for violating the country’s printing and publication laws. The council said that the paper’s publisher and acting chief of BNP, Tarique Rahman was a convicted criminal, living in another country and left without handing his job over to another person. However, Biwas told AFP that Rahman submitted his resignation as well as appointed a new publisher but officials have refused to acknowledge these changes and said, “This shutdown is all part of the government crackdown on dissenting voices and freedom of speech”. ALSO READ | Is Bangladesh blocking all Indian media channels? Here's the truth Reportedly, the publication is said to have been covering stories that the mainstream newspapers, allegedly run by pro-government businessmen rarely did. This has led to frequent arrests of BNP activists and the party has claimed thousands of fake cases against their supporters. The closure also comes a month after the incumbent PM’s government ordered the shutdown of nearly 200 which it has accused of publishing “anti-state news” citing intelligence reports. Notably, campaigners and foreign governments including the United States have previously raised concerns about media freedom in the South Asian nation under PM Hasina who has reportedly taken efforts to stifle criticism. Hasina’s government in the past few years has repeatedly ordered the shutdown of several websites, including ahead of the national elections in December 2018. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bangladesh government shuts down only newspaper of the main opposition party, sparks protests

Journalist groups in Bangladesh have cancelled planned protests against a new law they say cripples press freedom after the government offered talks instead.

The law, which combines some existing measures such as the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions, was passed by parliament on Sept. 19, three months before an expected national election. It now awaits the signature of President Abdul Hamid to come into force.

Journalist groups and unions had planned protests in Dhaka on Thursday and Saturday, but the government has now invited them to join talks expected on Sunday.

"If we can achieve our demand through discussion then that is good for all," said Saiful Islam, president of Dhaka Reporters Unity, a forum for journalists.

The unions and the Editors Council of Bangladesh, which represents the country's largest daily newspapers, will attend the talks.

"The information ministry is very much aware about the concern of the journalist community," Bangladesh’s Information Minister Hasanul Haq said in the letter. "It is of the utmost necessity to sit with the Editors Council to discuss the issue, to settle the concerns and ensure free movement of information."

Media freedom

The journalists' groups have called on the government to revise or drop multiple sections in the law they say stifle media freedom and breach their right to free speech.

They are unhappy about a provision that allows police to arrest any individual without a warrant.

There is a maximum sentence of 14 years for espionage if an individual is found secretly recording information with electronic instruments inside a government building.

Another section imposes the same jail sentence for spreading "propaganda and campaign" against Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. A further element journalists have opposed is the inclusion in the law of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which includes a sentence of up to 14 years for sharing state secrets with an enemy.

"This section of this law is a major obstacle for journalists in revealing truth," said Reaz Uddin Ahmed, acting chairman of the Editors Council.

Human Rights Watch has called the law a "tool ripe for abuse and a clear violation of the country’s obligations under international law to protect free speech".

Critics see the law as an authoritarian move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, already facing flak for violently suppressing protests last month by school students demanding improved road safety and over a campaign against drugs in which security forces are accused of extrajudicial killings.

Hasina has defended the new law by saying it is aimed at controlling cyber and digital crimes.

"The journalists are only thinking about their interest, not about society and only for that they are raising their voices," she said this week.

Scores of people, including journalists, have been jailed in Bangladesh under Hasina's rule since 2009 for criticising the government online.

Journalist groups in Bangladesh have cancelled planned protests against a new law they say cripples press freedom after the government offered talks instead. The law, which combines some existing measures such as the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions, was passed by parliament on Sept.

Journalist groups in Bangladesh have cancelled planned protests against a new law they say cripples press freedom after the government offered talks instead. The law, which combines some existing measures such as the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions, was passed by parliament on Sept. 19, three months before an expected national election. It now awaits the signature of President Abdul Hamid to come into force. Journalist groups and unions had planned protests in Dhaka on Thursday and Saturday, but the government has now invited them to join talks expected on Sunday. "If we can achieve our demand through discussion then that is good for all," said Saiful Islam, president of Dhaka Reporters Unity, a forum for journalists. The unions and the Editors Council of Bangladesh, which represents the country's largest daily newspapers, will attend the talks. "The information ministry is very much aware about the concern of the journalist community," Bangladesh’s Information Minister Hasanul Haq said in the letter. "It is of the utmost necessity to sit with the Editors Council to discuss the issue, to settle the concerns and ensure free movement of information." Media freedom The journalists' groups have called on the government to revise or drop multiple sections in the law they say stifle media freedom and breach their right to free speech. They are unhappy about a provision that allows police to arrest any individual without a warrant. There is a maximum sentence of 14 years for espionage if an individual is found secretly recording information with electronic instruments inside a government building. Another section imposes the same jail sentence for spreading "propaganda and campaign" against Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. A further element journalists have opposed is the inclusion in the law of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which includes a sentence of up to 14 years for sharing state secrets with an enemy. "This section of this law is a major obstacle for journalists in revealing truth," said Reaz Uddin Ahmed, acting chairman of the Editors Council. Human Rights Watch has called the law a "tool ripe for abuse and a clear violation of the country’s obligations under international law to protect free speech". Critics see the law as an authoritarian move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, already facing flak for violently suppressing protests last month by school students demanding improved road safety and over a campaign against drugs in which security forces are accused of extrajudicial killings. Hasina has defended the new law by saying it is aimed at controlling cyber and digital crimes. "The journalists are only thinking about their interest, not about society and only for that they are raising their voices," she said this week. Scores of people, including journalists, have been jailed in Bangladesh under Hasina's rule since 2009 for criticising the government online.

Bangladesh government to discuss tough new media law with journalists

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Bangladesh government shuts down only newspaper of the main opposition party, sparks protests

Bangladesh government to discuss tough new media law with journalists