Reporters to boycott all health ministry briefings

The Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) has announced to boycott all briefings of the health ministry until journalist Rozina Islam is granted bail.

They made the announcement on Tuesday to protest the case filed against journalist Rozina Islam.

Besides, the BSRF will hold a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday from 11am to 12pm, demanding unconditional release of Rozina Islam, withdrawal of the case and disciplinary action against the health ministry officials who harassed her.

They will also release statement condemning the false case and harassment against Rozina Islam.

Apart from that, the forum will submit a memorandum to the information minister demanding the release of the imprisoned journalist.

The BSRF said it will announce the next course of action in consultation with other organisations of journalists.

Rozina Islam, a senior reporter for ProthomAlo, went to the health ministry inside the Secretariat as part of professional duty around 3:30 pm. At one stage, she was locked in a room there and her mobile phone was confiscated.

Hours after detention, the case has been filed against her under the Official Secrets Act.

Health Services Division's (HSD) Deputy Secretary Sibbir Ahmed Osmani filed the case with Shahbagh police station on Monday midnight, said Harunur Rashid, additional deputy commissioner (Ramna Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Two more charges were brought against the senior journalist under 379 and 411 sections of the penal code.