Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) President Monirul Islam said they made a request to journalist through the statement, but did not issue any order to the media.

“We did not issue any order to the journalists, rather made a request. Now it’s up to the journalists whether they would respect the request or not,” he said while speaking to the reporters on Monday after paying homage to the victims of the Holey Artisan Attack by placing a wreath at a sculpture named “Dipto Shopoth”.

Monirul, also an additional inspector general of police and chief of police’s special branch (SB), came up with the clarification amid widespread criticism from different quarters of the society, including journalists’ rights bodies and anti-corruption organisations, regarding BPSA’s statement smelling a “smear campaign” by certain media outlets over the recent media reports on alleged corruption of former and current police officials.

The BPSA issued a statement asking the media to remain more cautious while running any report about the force.

Recently, several media outlets have published the details of the huge and unusual amount of wealth of some powerful serving and retired police officials in the country.

Explaining his stance amid the police service association’s statement despite saying that the force won’t bear the blame of any individual, Monirul said they always said that the force cannot be blamed for the activities of any individual.

“We maintain this but at the same time there is some exaggerated and partial information. For example, it has been said about one of our officials that he fled the country along with his family. But he did not flee. That is why we sent the rejoinder making a request,” he said.

According to him, they have not sent any guidance in the rejoinder or ordered anything, rather made a request for checking information properly before publishing any report. 

“Actually, anyone can say this from a professional point of view,” the BPSA president said, adding that it’s all up to journalists whether they would respect the request or not.

BDST: 2114 HRS, JULY 01, 2024
MSK