The Online Editors Alliance has strongly condemned and expressed deep anger over the attack, vandalism, and arson at the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers—Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Online Editors Alliance President Md Hasan Sharif and General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Sohel denounced the incident and voiced serious concern over journalists’ safety and the environment for carrying out professional duties freely in the wake of such violence.

They said attacks on media outlets constitute a direct assault on democracy, freedom of expression, and citizens’ right to know.

The organisation urged the government to take effective and visible measures to ensure the safety and security of journalists.

It also called for the swift identification of those involved in the vandalism and arson and for exemplary punishment of the perpetrators under the law.

The Online Editors Alliance expressed hope that the interim government, along with all relevant stakeholders, will remain committed to safeguarding media freedom and journalists’ security and will take necessary initiatives to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.