BB restrictions on journos’ entry threat to press freedom: DUJ

The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over restriction on journalists' access to the Bangladesh Bank.

In a statement issued on Saturday, DUJ President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and General Secretary Akhter Hossain said obstructing journalists from performing their professional duties is a threat to freedom of the press.

Journalists have been collecting information from the Bangladesh Bank for 53 years. This sudden restriction on their entry is likely to limit accurate news about the banking sector, which is not desirable for anyone, the statement added.

The leaders also urged the BB governor to ensure journalists' access to the bank.

On Friday, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called for immediate withdrawal of the decision, saying it posed unprecedented obstacles to the media's professional responsibility of disclosing banking and financial sector information in the public interest.

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Besides, the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has also issued a statement demanding the immediate withdrawal of the restriction.

On Thursday, announcing the decision, Mezbaul Haque, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Bank, said 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, he added.

According to journalists, this is the first time such a restriction has been imposed.