'Make probe reports public'

They also called on the newsmen to forge a united movement against all forms of repression and to realise their legitimate demands.

Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) organised the discussion at the National Press Club to mark the 'Journalist Repression Day'.

Former BFUJ president Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said freedom of the press and right to information are prerequisites for democracy, but the BNP-Jamaat ruling alliance is unleashing repression on journalists from the highest level of the state.

BFUJ President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul strongly criticised the government for not taking any punitive measure against the persons responsible for the repression against journalists.

BFUJ Secretary General Abdul Jalil Bhuyian, DUJ President Altaf Mahmud, Saiful Islam Talukdar, Barun Bhoumik, Shaban Mahmud, Manjure Ahsan Mahmud Mithu, Mahmudur Rahman Khokon, Abul Kalam, Shafiqur Rahman and M Shahjahan Mia also spoke.

Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) also held a discussion at the Khulna Press Club to mark the day, with its Acting President Faiz Ahmed Tony in the chair.

General Secretary of Khulna Awami League Mostafa Rashidi Shuja attended the programme as the chief guest.

Acting President of Khulna Press Club Wadudur Rahman Panna, Executive Editor of Dainik Purbanchal Ahmad Ali Khan, Secretary of the Press Club AK Hiru, Joint Secretary General of BFUJ SM Zahid Hossain and General Secretary of KUJ Anwarul Islam Kajal took part in the discussion.

The speakers observed that the incidents of repression against Journalists have increased during the rule of the four-party alliance government.