BB restrictions on journalists hinder public right to banking sector info: TIB
The central bank has imposed strict restrictions on journalists' access to its building
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the imposition of restrictions on journalists' access to the Bangladesh Bank.
In a press release issued today, the watchdog called for immediate withdrawal of the decision, saying it poses unprecedented obstacles to the media's professional responsibility of disclosing banking and financial sector information in the public interest.
The central bank on Thursday imposed strict restrictions on journalists' access to its building.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
On Thursday, Mezbaul Haque, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Bank, said henceforth, journalists will only be able to visit the spokesperson and other officials of the bank at its building through using a specific permit issued by the bank.
Journalists will no longer be able to freely enter any department of the central bank as before, he added.
Should we assume that the Bangladesh Bank is working to ensure the protection of the criminal circles involved in the irregularities of this sector?
In the press release, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman described the decision of the Bangladesh Bank as an "unethical and authoritarian" step hindering the legal right of people to access information.
"What message does the top leadership of the Bangladesh Bank want to send to everyone through the decision to stop the free flow of information when the banking sector is plagued by various crises including bad debt, financial fraud, and lack of overall good governance? What does the Bangladesh Bank aim to achieve through this?" he questioned in the press release.
He further said, "Is this initiative to conceal information about their own failure to establish good governance in the banking sector, which has reached the edge of the abyss? Or is it an attempt to protect the interests of those responsible for the crisis in this sector, including defaulters and fraudsters?"
In the past few years, most information about financial sector scams involving thousands of crores of taka has been published in the public interest, said the TIB executive director.
"Should we assume that the Bangladesh Bank is working to ensure the protection of the criminal circles involved in the irregularities of this sector, such as debt settlement, fraud, and money laundering, and has taken such reprehensible steps to conceal the fact that Bangladesh Bank's policies and leadership have become hostages in the hands of these groups?" he questioned.
The press release stated, "TIB believes that when questions of trust in the banking sector are circulating in the public's mind, or when the central bank itself appears confused about bank consolidation in the name of protecting the interests of bank customers, the imposition of secrecy can pose even greater dangers."
On the decision to require journalists to get permits to enter the central bank building, Iftekharuzzaman said, "As a result, Bangladesh Bank officials at any level will likely hesitate to grant interviews to journalists. It's clear that officials may face harassment in the guise of administrative accountability if journalists publish reports after the meeting."
He added, "Access to information will effectively be blocked, denying people the right to know what is happening in the banking sector, why, and who is benefiting from the loss of people's money."
