Editors want free movement of journalists’ vehicles

The Editors' Council yesterday urged the Election Commission to ensure the free movement of journalists' vehicles for three days from December 29 to 31. The Council made the call in a letter signed by its General Secretary and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam.

The letter was sent to the Chief Election Commissioner as per a decision of the Council taken in meeting held on Wednesday. "Free movement of motorcycles of journalists or media activists and motor vehicles of journalists or newspapers should be ensured," the letter reads.

The government, on December 23, imposed a ban on all modes of motor vehicles from 12 midnight on December 29 to 12 midnight on December 30 marking the 11th parliamentary election.

According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the movement of vehicles carrying contestants, polling agents, local and foreign observers, election-related officials and employees and law enforcers and also ambulances, fire service vehicles and emergency service vehicles will remain out of the purview of the ban.

The ban will also be relaxed for the media vehicles to be used for local and foreign newsmen on condition of having their ID cards. The ban on the movement of motorcycles will be for three days from 12 midnight on December 28 to 12 midnight on January 01.

This ban on bikes worries journalists as this is one of the most convenient ways fot them to cover assignments on tight schedules.

They have already urged the chief election commissioner (CEC) to lift the ban on motorcycles being used by journalists on the election Day.

The letter followed a country-wide ban issued by the Election Commission, on use of motorcycles from 12am midnight of December 28 to midnight of January 1. 

Editors want free movement of journalists vehicles

The Editors Council yesterday urged the Election Commission to ensure the free movement of journalists vehicles for three days from December 29 to 31. The Council made the call in a letter signed by its General Secretary and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam. The letter was sent to the Chief Election Commissioner as per a decision of the Council taken in meeting held on Wednesday. Free movement of motorcycles of journalists or media activists and motor vehicles of journalists or newspapers should be ensured, the letter reads. The government, on December 23, imposed a ban on all modes of motor vehicles from 12 midnight on December 29 to 12 midnight on December 30 marking the 11th parliamentary election. According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the movement of vehicles carrying contestants, polling agents, local and foreign observers, election-related officials and employees and law enforcers and also ambulances, fire service vehicles and emergency service vehicles will remain out of the purview of the ban. The ban will also be relaxed for the media vehicles to be used for local and foreign newsmen on condition of having their ID cards. The ban on the movement of motorcycles will be for three days from 12 midnight on December 28 to 12 midnight on January 01. This ban on bikes worries journalists as this is one of the most convenient ways fot them to cover assignments on tight schedules. They have already urged the chief election commissioner (CEC) to lift the ban on motorcycles being used by journalists on the election Day. The letter followed a country-wide ban issued by the Election Commission, on use of motorcycles from 12am midnight of December 28 to midnight of January 1.