Allegations of Harassment Against Journalists by Pori Moni at Court Premises; DRF Condemns Incident

Actress Pori Moni has been accused of behaving rudely toward journalists, using abusive language and harassing them on the premises of the Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. Her personal security personnel have also been accused of pushing, assaulting and beating journalists and ordinary court visitors. The Digital Reporters Forum (DRF) has strongly condemned and protested the incident, in which at least five journalists were reportedly injured and harassed while performing their professional duties.

The journalists affected include Robiul Hossain Raju, multimedia reporter at Samakal; Shah Riaz of Times Today; Siam Hossain of Agamir Shomoy; and Ashikuzzaman and Abdullah Al Kawsar of Jago News.

According to the journalists, Pori Moni behaved rudely toward them, while her security personnel allegedly pushed and assaulted members of the press. There were also allegations that mobile phones belonging to several journalists were taken away. The injured journalists received medical treatment.

In a statement, the DRF said that preventing journalists from carrying out their professional duties, behaving discourteously toward them or subjecting them to harassment through security personnel at an important and sensitive location such as a court is unacceptable. The reported injuries to ordinary court visitors are also a matter of serious concern, the organisation said.

The DRF believes that such conduct not only undermines the professional dignity of journalists but also threatens the environment necessary for independent journalism and the media to perform their responsibilities. The organisation has also called for an impartial investigation into the role of law enforcement personnel present at the court premises during the incident.

The DRF has demanded an immediate, fair and impartial investigation into the allegations against Pori Moni and her security personnel, identification of those responsible and appropriate legal action. It has also called for the return of journalists' mobile phones and other equipment allegedly taken during the incident.

The organisation further urged the relevant authorities to take effective measures to ensure the safety of the injured journalists and court visitors.

The DRF said journalists must not be subjected to humiliation, threats or physical attacks by any individual, celebrity or institution while performing their professional duties. It reiterated its demand for a proper investigation into the allegations against Pori Moni and her security personnel and for justice to be ensured.