BJPC forms Dhaka divisional convening committee

The Bangladesh Journalist Protect Committee (BJPC) has formed a nine-member Dhaka divisional convening committee to work on journalists’ professional safety, rights and skills development.

The committee was announced at a discussion meeting at the TCA conference room in the capital’s Karwan Bazar yesterday (3 September), attended by BJPC Bangladesh General Secretary Anichur Rahman Kabir.

The committee is headed by The Business Standard’s Rashed Nizam as convener, while Star News’s Mahdi Hasan has been named member secretary and Advocate Tarun Lal Begi coordinator.

A three-member advisory board has also been formed. The names and responsibilities of the other committee members will be formally announced later, the organisation said.

The meeting discussed the professional safety of journalists in Dhaka, various pressures and risks in the workplace, journalists’ rights and ways to improve their professional skills. Participants also stressed the need to expand and strengthen the organisation’s activities in the capital.

Speakers said journalists face various forms of pressure, threats and harassment while carrying out their duties.

They said ensuring a safe working environment is essential for independent journalism in a democratic society and that collective efforts are needed to protect journalists’ professional dignity and rights.

BJPC Bangladesh General Secretary Anichur Rahman Kabir stressed the need to expand the organisation’s activities to protect journalists’ professional safety and rights.

He also said journalists need a united effort to create an environment where they can perform their duties without fear, pressure or any form of obstruction.

The newly formed Dhaka divisional committee members also pledged to work together to protect journalists’ professional dignity, safety and rights.

They said they would coordinate with journalists in Dhaka to undertake programmes and support initiatives as needed.

The organisers said BJPC began its activities in Khulna in 2024 and has since been working on journalists’ professional development, safety and rights.

BJPC is a journalist safety and development initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and Free Press Unlimited, with support from Article 19.

The organisation aims to help create a safe and independent working environment for journalists, strengthen their professional capacity, and work on their rights and safety.