Geneva, 17 October: Condemning the murder of a journalist in Bangladesh, the global media safety and rights body, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), demanded a fair probe by the authorities in Dhaka. Reacting to local media reports about the shooting down of Lutfozzaman Fakir Alif by miscreants in Netrakona locality on 15 October, the PEC asked  Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a credible investigation so that the culprits can be booked under the law.

Alif, 45, who used to work for the internet protocol television channel Rupashi Bangla as a Netrakona correspondent, was known for his investigative and brave scribe. He often reported on corruption, irregularities, and criminal activities of high-profile individuals in the society and invited enmities. Hailing from Sunai village in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona locality, Alif left behind his wife and two minor children along with other relatives.

“We demand a fair probe and necessary legal actions against the murderers. Lutfozzaman Fakir Alif faced another attack in November 2025 but survived. However, those culprits are yet to be identified, not to speak of punishment to them,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (pressemblem.ch), adding that Alif was the 56th media victim this year across the globe.

PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed us that Bangladesh lost another journalist (Rana Pratap Bairagi of Dainik BD Khabar) to the assailants nine months back. Its giant neighbor India recorded the murder of Jaganmohan Reddy (ABN Andhra Jyothy), whereas Pakistan reported the killing of Lala Israfil Khan (HUM news channel) and Nazar Muhammad Kanrani since 1 January 2026. On the other hand, the Philippines witnessed the murder of four journalists, namely Julio Calo (DNN News FM), RJ Nichole Ledesma (Paghimutad-Negros), Nestor Micator (Empire Radio Station), and Adrian Loterte (RBN, Daraga).