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The Editors’ Council handed over a list of 282 journalists to the prime minister, highlighting that 94 of them have been accused in murder cases.

Any specific, evidence-based allegation against a journalist must go through transparent judicial processes under existing laws, the council said.

The PM said the government intends to act as a facilitator, rather than a regulator, of the media.

He said strong media are an essential part of the state and that his government would remain committed to that principle, according to a press release signed by council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

Briefing reporters at the Secretariat after the meeting, the Editors’ Council members shared details of their discussion with the prime minister.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said that while the list might not fully capture the situation and some names may have been left out, it serves as a starting point.

“We presented the list and firmly told the prime minister that filing such cases against journalists is not a good sign for a democratic country, and it also damages the government’s image,” Anam said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon told reporters that the prime minister echoed the editors’ concerns and had already instructed him to take the necessary steps.

According to the press release, the council told the PM that Bangladesh’s media-related laws are outdated and create barriers to press freedom, undermining the country’s image internationally.

In particular, Form “B” of a newspaper declaration requires publishers to pledge not to publish anything “against the interests of the government” or any “objectionable” content. This binds them to the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act, 1973.

The Editors’ Council demanded the immediate repeal of this provision, saying it contradicts the constitution and has an “undemocratic character”.

The council also raised the urgent need for a media commission to pursue reforms or to strengthen the Press Council. In response, the prime minister directed the information minister to complete the relevant evaluations by June so the government could take visible steps by July, according to the press release.

The prime minister emphasised the importance of a self-regulation framework for the media, while the council informed him of its initiative to adopt a code of conduct for journalists by July.

The Editors’ Council unanimously thanked the prime minister, saying there had been no state-level intervention in media operations since the BNP-led government took office, the information minister added.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury and the prime minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman also attended the meeting.

Among the council’s executive committee members, President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Treasurer and Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, and General Secretary and Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud were present.

Other attendees included Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Manab Zamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Daily Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Karatoa Editor Md Mozammel Haque, and Suprobhat Bangladesh Editor Rusho Mahmud.

The prime minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were also present.