Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Dec 06, 2025 (BSS) -The general meeting of the Metropolitan Union of Journalists (MUJ), Khulna, was held at the Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of Khulna Press Club this morning.

Speakers at the meeting said that MUJ Khulna will lead the movement for securing the rights, employment opportunities and professional welfare of journalists working in Khulna in the aftermath of the July 36 mass uprising. 

They urged all members to remain united to strengthen and make the organisation more effective, drawing lessons from incidents that occurred within the union in the past.

Chaired by MUJ Khulna President Md. Rashidul Islam and conducted by General Secretary Abdur Razzak Rana, the meeting was addressed by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Assistant Secretary General Ehteshamul Haq Shawon, Member Secretary of Khulna Press Club Rafiul Islam Tutul, MUJ Vice-President Md. Nuruzzaman, Joint Secretary Ashraful Islam Nur, Treasurer Md. Rakibul Islam Moti, Md. Ershad Ali and K.M. Ziaus Sadat, Abul Hasan Himalay, Munir Uddin Ahmed, Mizanur Rahman Milton, M.A. Hasan, among others.

The meeting held elaborate discussions on ongoing organisational activities, professional challenges, and various issues related to the rights and safety of media workers. Members also spoke on the overall organisational situation and outlined future action plans.

Decisions were taken to grant new memberships, organise the installation of a new committee, observe the martyrdom anniversary of martyred journalist Sheikh Belal Uddin, hold an Iftar gathering, arrange professional capacity-building training workshops, observe "Black Day of Newspapers" on 16 June, and mark the 5 August Mass Uprising Day along with other national days with due respect.

The meeting also placed strong demands for implementing the "No Wage Board, No Media" policy; fixing the minimum salary of journalists at Tk 35,000; enforcing the Ninth Wage Board for print, electronic and online media; forming the Tenth Wage Board; adopting a journalist protection policy; declaring two weekly holidays for journalists; ensuring justice in all journalist murder cases, including that of Sagar-Runi, repealing all black laws restricting press freedom, and establishing a separate labour court to ensure journalists' lawful dues, in line with BFUJ's 39-point demands.

Additionally, special prayers were offered seeking the early recovery and good health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Prayers were also offered for the forgiveness of departed union members and for the recovery of those currently ill.