The Bengal Working Journalists Association has strongly condemned the alleged attack on journalist Mahboob Raza while he was carrying out his professional reporting duties and called upon the police administration to conduct a fair, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident.
The Association demanded that appropriate legal action be taken against all those found responsible after a thorough investigation. It also urged the state administration and police to strengthen measures for the safety and security of journalists so that they can perform their professional responsibilities without fear, intimidation or pressure.
The Association said that disagreement with a journalist’s reporting or criticism of his or her work is a legitimate part of a democratic society. However, it stressed that resorting to violence against a journalist because of his reporting is completely unacceptable.