The Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) has demanded the withdrawal of a general diary (GD) filed against senior Nayadiganta reporter Shamsul Islam, calling it “baseless and harassing.”

Former Deputy Commissioner of Netrokona and current Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Banani Biswas, filed the GD at Ramna Model Police Station on November 5 over the publication of news.

BSRF President Masudul Hoque and General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal, speaking on Thursday, urged the authorities to immediately withdraw the GD, saying Shamsul Islam has long been serving professionally in the country’s leading media outlets.

They termed the allegations in the GD as motivated, baseless, and an interference with press freedom.

According to a press release signed by BSRF Office Secretary Gautam Chandra Ghosh, after news of corruption involving Banani Biswas was published, initial investigations confirmed the allegations, leading to his transfer from the post of Netrokona DC to the Ministry of Public Administration, which is now officially investigating the case.

“Filing such a GD seems aimed at intimidating and harassing journalist Shamsul Islam. Publishing news is a professional responsibility, and journalists cannot be prevented from performing their duties through threats,” the press release stated.

BSRF called on the administration to ensure a fair investigation into the matter and to safeguard the safety of journalists.