Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the imposition of restrictions on journalists' access to the Bangladesh Bank and urged the withdrawal of the decision.
The anti-corruption organisation stated in release issued on Friday (26 April) that the decision represents an autocratic move and creates unprecedented obstacles for media professionals in fulfilling their responsibility to disclose banking and financial sector information for the public interest.
On 25 March, a delegation from the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) demanded hassle-free and unrestricted entry into the Bangladesh Bank headquarters during a meeting with BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "What message do the central bank authorities intend to convey by halting the free flow of information amidst the banking sector's turmoil, including issues like bad loans, financial frauds, and a lack of overall good governance? What are the objectives of the Bangladesh Bank in implementing this decision?"
"Is this initiative an effort to conceal information about their own failure in establishing good governance within the banking sector, which has now reached the brink of collapse? Or is it aimed at safeguarding the interests of those responsible for the crisis in this sector?” TIB executive director questioned.
TIB stated that Bangladesh Bank authorities should remember that their role is to safeguard public interests, not to protect those responsible for the crisis in the banking sector.
