Dhaka: Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) today demanded the immediate formation of the 10th Wage Board for journalists and newspaper employees. BFUJ placed the demand in a meeting of the executive committee of the forum at Jatiya Press Club here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was chaired by the acting president of BFUJ, Obaidur Rahman Shahin. Other prominent figures in attendance included general secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury, vice presidents Md Kharul Bashar and A K M Mohsin, along with senior leaders such as Basir Jamal, Shahidul Islam, and Erfanul Haque Nahid.
BFUJ also demanded an end to the killing and torture of journalists, the trial of the journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder, and the enactment of a journalist protection act. Additionally, the meeting called for the reopening of media outlets closed during the previous regime and compensation for affected journalists.
Furthermore, BFUJ insisted on the immediate payment of arrears for government advertisements in newspapers. They urged the liberation of the media from oppressive influences, the abolition of all restrictive laws against press freedom, and the repeal of the Cyber Security Act.
The meeting also demanded the withdrawal of all false cases against journalists. It condemned the Israeli actions against the Palestinian people and called for an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza and Rafa.