UNB :
The Editors’ Council and Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (Noab) on Tuesday demanded resumption of unhindered entry for journalists to Bangladesh Bank at the earliest.
The demand was placed in a joint statement as the central bank has recently slapped unwritten restrictions on journalists’ entry into its headquarters.
The statement says journalists from different media outlets have not been able to enter Bangladesh Bank for more than a month to perform their professional duties.
The Noab and the Editors’ Council think that this unwritten ban on journalists’ access to the central bank goes against free press, democracy and fundamental and constitutional rights, it reads.
In this regard, the statement given by BB spokesperson Mezbaul Haque to the media has come to the notice of Noab and Editors’ Council as he said, “From now on, journalists can only go to the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank with specific permission (entry pass). If an official gives a pass to journalists, then only that official can be met.
But journalists will not be able to freely enter any department of the central bank as they did in the past.”
Noting that his statement is the manifestation of an undeclared ban on the entry of journalists, the Noab and Editors’ Council said this decision is tantamount to snatching the freedom of media.
As a result of this ban, the people will be deprived of the right to know the actual condition of the bank and financial sector as well as the country’s economy. On the other hand, it will increase public mistrust regarding the sector, said the statement made by Noab and Editors’ Council.
At the same time, it will further encourage irregularities and corruption in the banking and financial sector, it said.
In this situation, the Noab and Editors’ Council are demanding to ensure the unhindered entry of journalists immediately.
