Harassment of journalists doubles in 2014: Report

Harassment of journalists has doubled in 2014 in comparison with 2013, Article 19 in its report published on Sunday, said.‘An alarming 106 per cent increase in harassment with figures rising from 33 in 2013 to 68 in 2014 has been seen,’ said Tahmina Rahman, director of Article 19 Bangladesh and South Asia, in a press briefing arranged at Dhaka Reporters Unity on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.She said that four journalists were killed, 40 were assaulted seriously and 62 received minor assaults in 2014.During the period, 17 including eight bloggers and online users were arrested while 13 media persons including editors, publishers, media executives and senior leaders of journalists’ associations faced contempt proceedings, she said.Tahmina Rahman said that there has been an alarming increase in violation perpetrated by state actors, from 12.5 per cent in 2013 to 33.69 per cent in 2014.She blamed culture of impunity for such a harsh reality for journalists in Bangladesh.

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