The Ain O Salish Center (ASK) has said that the case filed against Prothom Elo editor Matiur Rahman and the kidnapping of journalist Samsuzzaman Shams amounts to harassment and such acts encourage violation of press freedom. Such acts curtail the freedom of the press and create an atmosphere of fear.
ASK said this in a statement on Thursday.
The statement said several top government officials, including the law minister, resolved to be extra careful before taking up cases against journalists under the Digital Security Act. But in this case such practice was not followed. Rather, several top government figures made comments against Prothom Aloe and its published news, which encouraged some overzealous individuals to file cases.