The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global organization dedicated to media safety and rights, has voiced deep sorrow and alarm after a young reporter lost his life amid widespread protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh, over the nation’s job-quota system.
Hasan Mehedi, a 35-year-old journalist for Dhaka Times, was fatally shot in the head while reporting on violent clashes between police and students in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on July 18, 2024. His death marks him as the 72nd journalist killed worldwide since the beginning of the year, according to Dhaka Times.
Blaise Lempen, PEC’s president, strongly called for an exhaustive inquiry into Mehedi’s death and demanded that the Bangladeshi authorities ensure journalists’ safety amid the ongoing anti-reservation protests, which have already claimed nearly 40 lives. Lempen emphasized the urgent need for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to address these concerns and compensate Mehedi’s family adequately.
Nava Thakuria, PEC’s South Asia representative, highlighted that many Bangla media outlets have been silent since the large-scale student protests erupted.
Mehedi is the first journalist killed in Bangladesh this year. In contrast, Myanmar’s military forces claimed the life of journalist Ko Myat Thu Tun, India saw the deaths of two journalists, and Pakistan reported the highest toll with eight journalists killed, including Hassan Zaib and Khalil Afridi Jibran.
This tragic incident underscores the severe risks faced by journalists in the region and calls for immediate action to protect media personnel.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/international/story/pec-condemns-killing-of-bangladeshi-journalist-amidst-job-quota-protests-1053071-2024-07-19?utm_source=rssfeed
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