Leading journalist organizations in Nepal and Sri Lanka have expressed deep concern over the remanding of three senior Bangladeshi journalists by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. Regional media representatives believe that prosecuting journalists on criminal charges for performing their professional duties—specifically for asking questions at press conferences—will negatively impact press freedom worldwide.

Journalists Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa were produced before International Crimes Tribunal-2 in connection with crimes against humanity cases linked to the 2024 student-led movement. On August 24, the tribunal ordered them to be sent to prison and set October 25 as the next date to submit the investigation report.

The prosecution claims that the questions and comments presented by these three journalists at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14, 2024, incited the crackdown on the movement and helped build a 'counter-narrative' against it. However, these allegations are currently sub-judice and remain unproven in court.

South Asian media organizations have voiced their concerns internationally in response to these arrests:

• Nepal Press Union (NPU): The organization strongly criticized the legal action taken against the three journalists. According to them, putting journalists on trial on criminal charges simply for asking questions at a press conference or fulfilling professional duties goes against the core principles of a free press.

• Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA): Emphasizing the urgent need to protect journalists' safety and overall rights, the organization called for the ongoing investigation to remain completely impartial, independent, and transparent.

This reaction from the journalist bodies of Nepal and Sri Lanka brings a fundamental policy question to the forefront: Can a question asked in a professional capacity serve as the basis for a criminal offense simply because it is politically controversial? Putting the right to ask questions at press conferences under legal risk will only accelerate media censorship and the shrinking of free speech.

Author: Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla