The Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), a Dhaka-based organisation of journalists representing international media outlets, has called on the interim government to reverse its decision to revoke accreditation for 167 journalists, including senior OCAB members.
In a strongly worded statement, OCAB criticised the Press Information Department's (PID) action as being contradictory to the interim government's promise to foster an environment conducive to independent journalism. The group emphasized that such measures undermine press freedom and democracy.
The OCAB Executive Committee, led by President Nazrul Islam, convened on Saturday to express its concerns over the issue. The committee labeled the decision as a direct threat to independent journalism and called for the reinstatement of the accreditation without delay.
The association also condemned the filing of fabricated charges, including murder and attempted murder, against journalists. It urged the government, headed by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, to adhere to its commitment to uphold press freedom and ensure a fear-free working environment for media professionals.
"Silencing the media undermines democracy and the people's aspirations for transparency and accountability," OCAB stated. It echoed the concerns of global media rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA), and Reporters Without Borders, all of which have urged the government to halt harassment and intimidation of journalists.
OCAB acknowledged the government's recent decision to repeal the controversial Cyber Security Act as a positive step and expressed hope that the administration would not repeat previous attempts to stifle media freedom.
The organization reiterated its commitment to defending independent journalism and urged the interim government to align its actions with the principles of freedom of expression to build a sustainable democracy.
