The Reporters Forum for Elections and Democracy (RFED) submitted a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasir Uddin demanding the immediate suspension and amendment of its policy for journalists, labelling the guidelines contrary to independent journalism, right to information and democratic practices.
The memorandum outlines concerns over the lack of consultation with media professionals in formulating the policy, imposing unrealistic conditions including time and number restrictions on journalists entering polling stations, banning interviews and live broadcasting, and unilaterally imposing punitive clauses.
RFED President Kazi Jebel, General Secretary Golam Rabbani and other members of the organisation submitted the memorandum to the CEC at the Election Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday.
"We are calling on the EC to suspend this policy," RFED President Jebel said at the meeting.
He also gave an ultimatum to amend this policy within 15 days, saying that journalists would not cover the upcoming parliamentary elections under the existing policy.
Senior journalists who participated in the meeting said they called for the formulation of a realistic, independent and journalist-friendly policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Earlier, in an emergency meeting, the RFED executive committee, general members and experienced journalists serving in the Election Commission unanimously decided to submit the memorandum to the CEC.
At the meeting, they said the policy would make it difficult for journalists to observe the election.
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