Noab, Editors’ Council demand journos’ free access to Bangladesh Bank

The Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) and the Editors' Council have demanded free access for journalists to the Bangladesh Bank.

"We consider this unwritten ban on journalists' access to the central bank to be against independent journalism, democracy, and fundamental and constitutional rights," reads a joint statement issued today by the two bodies.

Journalists have been restricted from entering the central bank of the country for the last one month.

The central bank has stopped issuing temporary passes to journalists due to an unwritten ban from the top authorities.

Journalists associated with preparing economic reports have protested, but the matter has not been resolved so far.

On 25 April, Mezbaul Haque, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Bank, said journalists would only be able to visit the spokesperson at its building using a specific permit issued by the central bank.

"Journalists will also be able to visit other officials of the central bank if the officials issue them a permit. Journalists will no longer be able to freely enter any department of the central bank as before," he added.

This speech of the central bank spokesperson expresses a silent ban on journalists, the joint statement issued yesterday said.

"This decision of the Bangladesh Bank is tantamount to taking away the freedom of the media. As a result of this ban, people will be deprived of the right to know the real state of the banking and financial sectors, as well as the country's economy.

"On the other hand, it will increase the public's distrust of the sector. At the same time, it will further encourage irregularities and corruption in the banking and financial sectors."

The central bank is one of the most important institutions for any country's economy and people's trust. Ensuring the free flow of information is necessary to build a long-term sustainable banking sector and strengthen public confidence in the sector," said the Noab and the Editors' Council.

"For the last 53 years after independence, journalists have played a role in ensuring accountability in the banking and financial sectors of the country, as well as meeting the public's need for information through independent access to the central bank and gathering information. In this situation, the Editors' Council and the Noab are demanding to ensure the unhindered entry of journalists as soon as possible," reads the statement.

Previously, the Capital Market Journalists' Forum, the Dhaka Union of Journalists, and Transparency International Bangladesh strongly condemned and protested the Bangladesh Bank's decision to restrict journalists' access to its premises.