Rajshahi Correspondent:

Local media personnel in Rajshahi have risen in protest against attacks, false lawsuits, and smear campaigns on social media targeting professional journalists working in the region.

A human chain and protest rally were held in Rajshahi city to demand immediate measures to ensure journalists' safety, bring those spreading malicious propaganda to justice, and halt the activities of impostors masquerading as journalists.

The event was organized jointly by the Rajshahi Barind Press Club, Rajshahi Reporters Unity, and Rajshahi Rivercity Press Club at the Alupatti intersection in Rajshahi city at 11:30 AM today, Wednesday (October 7). Representatives of civil society and other dignitaries joined local media personnel to express their solidarity.

Speakers at the human chain stated that recent attacks on professional journalists—including incidents at Rajshahi University and elsewhere in the country—are part of a conspiracy to silence the voice of the free press. They highlighted that a specific group is actively spreading misleading propaganda on social media against professional journalists, including Masud Rana Rabbani, the President of the Rajshahi Reporters Unity.

The speakers strongly demanded the immediate identification and legal prosecution of the individuals involved in this smear campaign, specifically naming Nure Islam Milon, Suruj Ali, Mazharul Islam Chapol, and Golam Mostafa Mamun.

The rally also voiced strong indignation over how the reputation of professional journalists is being tarnished by impostors. Speakers alleged that certain individuals—lacking credentials or competence from any recognized media outlet—are using the label of "journalist" to engage in intimidation, extortion, and the solicitation of undue benefits, while also inciting unruly mobs in various locations.

Urgent calls were made to arrest these "pseudo-journalists" and extortionists to cleanse the journalistic community of this stigma. Additionally, a call was made to ensure that genuine journalists do not face harassment while performing their professional duties.

Serious allegations regarding the current state of the Rajshahi Press Club were also raised during the human chain. Speakers claimed that incidents involving the seizure and counter-seizure of the Rajshahi Press Club occurred in the aftermath of the July mass uprising. As part of this sequence of events, Golam Mostafa Mamun was appointed General Secretary, despite not being a member of the Press Club.

The speakers alleged that Golam Mostafa Mamun is the former Organizing Secretary of the District BNP and an active member of its current convening committee. They questioned how an active politician could hold the position of General Secretary at a professional press club.

They demanded that the credentials of the 10–12 individuals accompanying him—specifically whether they are genuine media personnel—be verified through relevant institutions and journalist organizations. Furthermore, they called for investigations by intelligence agencies into these individuals' income, educational qualifications, and political affiliations.

While commending law enforcement agencies for their efforts to eradicate drugs in the Rajshahi region, the speakers expressed hope that similar strict measures would be taken against those spreading propaganda and so-called "fake journalists" in cyberspace. The program concluded with a call to ensure the safety of professional journalists and to take swift legal action against individuals using fraudulent press credentials.

Presided over by Rezaul Karim, President of the Rajshahi Barind Press Club, and moderated by Masud Rana Rabbani, President of the Rajshahi Rivercity Press Club, the gathering was addressed by local journalist leaders, including Shamsul Islam (General Secretary of the Barind Press Club) and Shamim (Staff Reporter for the daily Amar Desh).