The National Citizen Party (NCP) has protested the reported beating of three journalists while they were carrying out professional duties in Shariatpur. It also condemned an alleged telephone threat to another journalist by Shariatpur district BNP joint general secretary Arifuzzaman Molla, who was quoted as saying, “You write, we will beat.” NCP demanded immediate party disciplinary and legal action against those involved.

In a joint statement sent Thursday by office cell member Sadia Farzana Dinar, NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain said violence against journalists and threats to suppress the media showed that part of those in power did not believe in even minimum media freedom. They said a return of cadre rule, abuse of power and fascism would not be accepted in a new Bangladesh after the July uprising.

The party called for the arrest and legal prosecution of the attackers and all involved, including Molla. It also urged effective legal and administrative measures to ensure a safe environment and legal protection for journalists across the country to publish truthful news freely. NCP said it would stand with journalists and the public in defending free media and freedom of expression.