Dhaka, July 1 (UNB)--Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) President Monirul Islam on Monday cleared its position about their recent statement on the publication of news about former and current police officials.
 
He said that the statement was a request to journalists, not an order.
 
"In our statement, we did not give any directives or orders. We have requested for proper verification before publishing any type of news, not only news on police," he said.
 
Monirul, also the additional inspector general (Special Branch) of Police, made the remarks while replying to a query after paying tribute to the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Gulshan in 2016.
 
"We just made a request. It is up to you whether you (media) will keep the request or not," he added.
 
He also said we have always said that the liability of the individual is not that of the organisation or the force.
 
"As it was told about one of our officers he fled abroad with his family. Actually, he didn't flee." That's why we have requested along with the protest. We have not given any direction in the statement," Monirul added.
 
Earlier on June 21, the BPSA issued a statement condemning what it termed a "smear campaign" orchestrated by certain media outlets against current and former members of the police force.
 
It claimed that recent reports against police members were exaggerated, partial, and intentionally misleading.
 
The statement called for greater caution and adherence to journalistic principles in future reporting on the police.
 
"We urge the media to refrain from publishing such misleading reports in the interest of public safety and order," the statement reads.
 
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