Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in separate statements condemned Bangladesh Bank’s decision of banning journalists' entry into the central bank headquarters.
The DUJ in a statement on Saturday said that for 53 years reporters have been entering the central bank premises and collecting reports freely, sudden banning of entry in the central bank would create misunderstanding regarding the banking sector.
DUJ President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and General Secretary Akhtar Hossain in the statement said that such a ban would raise the possibility of publishing wrong information due to lack of verification option.
They urged the BB governor to allow reporters in the central bank freely, which was happening during the last 53 years, as part of assisting independent journalism.
Acting President of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) Shafiqul Islam Shamim and General Secretary Mohiuddin in the statement on Friday said that reporters have always been freely collecting information from the BB and publishing independent news.
“Sudden entry barriers are against independent journalism. As a result, there will be a risk of wrong reporting about the banking sector, which is not desired by any party,” they said.
The DRU leaders demanded that journalists should be assisted in fulfilling their professional duties by ensuring unhindered access to the BB immediately.
Earlier, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) termed the ban on access of journalists to the BB as a reprehensible example of arbitrary imposition of secrecy.
Expressing deep concern over such action, the organisation has called for the immediate withdrawal of such ban on disclosure of banking and financial sector information in the public interest.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said that most of the news of big scams in the financial sector in the last few years have come from the sources of journalists.
Such steps have been taken to hide the fact that the policy and leadership of the BB has become hostage to the criminal gang, he said.
