Journalist Shakil victim of conspiracy for exposing irregularities.

Daily Bijoy News, Manohardi, Narsingdi Correspondent:

Kazi Shariful Islam Shakil, President of the Bangladesh Journalist Professional Forum and Manohardi Upazila Press Club, a young journalist, has been facing multifaceted conspiracies and harassment since the release of a video of bribery at the UNO office in Narsingdi. This journalist, who has long been vocal against irregularities, corruption, and administrative arbitrariness, has now himself become the target of various false allegations and defamatory campaigns. Recently, Shakil released a video of some officials of the local UNO office taking bribes, which quickly went viral on social media. Locals claim that the video allegedly shows a bribery transaction taking place at the Manohardi Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) office. This incident created a stir in the area and caused an uproar at various levels of the administration.

Shakil said, "I do journalism to establish people's rights and the truth. But since the release of the bribery and corruption video, a group of influential people have started conspiring to harass me. I am being threatened in various ways, and false information is being spread against me." He further said, "I am facing conspiracies today for the crime of standing by the people and staying on the path of truth." The local journalist community says that Kazi Shariful Islam Shakil is a principled and professional journalist who has always wielded his pen against injustice. They have expressed deep concern over the conspiracies and harassment against him.

Several members of the Manohardi Upazila Press Club have stated that such false propaganda against a dedicated journalist like Shakil is a threat to the freedom and security of the press. In a statement, the Narsingdi District Committee of the Bangladesh Journalist Professional Forum said, "Exposing news against corruption and irregularities is the fundamental duty of journalists. But if a journalist is harassed for fulfilling that duty, it is not just an attack on an individual, but an attack on the freedom of the entire media." The organization has demanded a fair investigation into the incident, identification of the conspirators, and ensuring the safety of journalist Shakil.

Meanwhile, the local general public has also stood by Shakil. Many have said that Shakil is now facing retaliation for exposing the corrupt. "It is the state's responsibility to protect the journalist who wields his pen against injustice," commented some aware citizens of Manohardi. A source from the Narsingdi district administration informed that an internal inquiry is ongoing regarding the video release incident. This incident involving journalist Shakil, who stands for truth and justice, is now being widely discussed and criticized across the district. Many are saying, "The administration's main task should not be to silence a courageous journalist, but to verify the authenticity of his information." Ensuring the safety of journalists who are steadfast in revealing the truth and firm against injustice is the responsibility of a democratic society. Therefore, journalist Shakil's case is not just a personal battle; it has become a symbol of protecting press freedom.

Daily Bijoy News/ MEI