Protests will continue until the release of imprisoned journalist Rozina Islam, and movement will continue even if her bail is granted.
Different journalist leaders on Friday gave such warnings from the human chain organized on the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) premises.
Calling the case against Rozina Islam false and conspiratorial, journalist leaders said the existence of free journalism would be threatened if Rozina was not released.
DRU general secretary Mashiur Rahman Khan said the agitation would continue even if reporter Rozina Islam was granted bail.
He said that, "Rozina Islam is supposed to be granted bail next Sunday. We will continue the movement to demand the withdrawal of the case and the exemplary trial of the harassers of Rozina Islam".
Mashiur Rahman Khan also said that, "If the government does not set up an impartial inquiry committee, a separate inquiry committee will be formed on behalf of the journalist community. I promise that I will form a separate investigation committee on behalf of the DRU and reveal the real information to the public.
Deep Azad, treasurer of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, said, "The inquiry committee that was formed earlier is ridiculous. Because there is no impartiality in that investigation committee, there is no participation of journalists. Old laws of 1923 cannot be applied now. Because the country now has a free information law. The case was to be dismissed at the outset".
If Rozina is not granted bail on Sunday, the journalists' organizations will continue their programmes, he further added.
General Secretary of Dhaka Journalists Union Shahidul Islam, Organizing Secretary of DRU Mainul Hasan Sohel, General Secretary of DRU Multipurpose Cooperative Society Omar Farooq, Helemul Alam Biplob, Jamiul Ahsan Shipu, Shahnaz Sharmin, Riyadul Karim, Maniklal Ghosh, Saiful Islam Jewel, SM Fayez, Rafiq Rafi, Matlu Mallick and many others spoke at the protest meeting.
