Voicing deep concern over suing one after another against journalists, including Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Thursday alleged that the government has been carrying out extreme repression by using the ‘black’ law to gag the media.   In a statement, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam demanded the immediate repeal of the Digital Security Act and the withdrawal of all cases filed against journalists. After picking up Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams by law enforcers early Wednesday, Fakhrul said a case was filed against the editor of the newspaper, Matiur Rahman, on Wednesday late night under the DSA. Besides, he said a Jubo League leader filed another case under the DSA against Daily Jugantor's Special Correspondent and ex-general secretary of Crime Reporters’ Association Mahbub Alam Lavllu in Chattogram. The BNP leader strongly protested and denounced the filing of the cases against the journalists under the DSA on ‘false’ charges. “Filing of cases one after the other against journalists, including Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, under the DSA a severe blow to the freedom of expression,” he observed. Read more: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail Fakhrul alleged that the government has demonstrated that it wants to bury democracy forever by filing a case under the Digital Security Act against Matiur Rahman, one of the country's leading newspaper editors. By suing journalists under the DSA, he said the government wants to send out a message to the country’s people that the government's activities cannot be criticised and opinions cannot be expressed freely. “The Awami League government is continuing its terrible misrule in the country by indiscriminately repressing and suppressing the media, the fourth pillar of the state,” the BNP leader said.  He also said the case against Matiur Rahman was undoubtedly filed at the behest of the government. Fakhrul said the country’s people and the media have got panicked due to the killing and repression of journalists across the country.

The government of Japan conferred the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" award to Bangladeshi businessman Matiur Rahman Monday. Matiur, the first president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), received the award at the official residence of Ito Naoki, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, for his contribution to strengthening economic ties between Japan and Bangladesh. He is the first Bangladeshi businessman to receive the decoration from the government of Japan. "Rahman's achievements and contributions to Japan-Bangladesh relations are remarkable. I am particularly pleased that we are able to celebrate Mr Rahman's conferment in the year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh," said Ambassador Naoki. Matiur Rahman is one of the founders of the JBCCI and greatly contributed to promoting the investment of Japanese companies in Bangladesh.  He also made significant efforts to improve the business environment for Japanese companies and built a strong economic partnership between the two countries. On April 29, 2021, the government of Japan decided to confer the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette on Matiur.

The High Court on Sunday stayed trial proceedings against Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman for six months over the death of Dhaka Residential Model College student Nayeemul Abrar Rahat.

Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) on Sunday voiced concern over the indictment of Daily Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and eight others in a case filed over the death of a student last year.