Emergency censorship
IRNA (via) is reporting that immediately after the Bangladesh president declared a state of emergency, the Press Information Department (PID) under the Information Ministry verbally imposed censorship on the media.
The PID officials made phone calls to different print and electronic media and directed them not to be critical of the government.
When the press contacted the PID, its officials said the president’s office gave them the verbal instructions on the matter and to convey the order to the media.
A high official at Bangabhaban on condition of anonymity told The Daily Star that the restrictions have been imposed as it had been during previous emergency periods.
The government directed the private electronic media not to broadcast news during the emergency. It also barred the media from telecasting any sort of talk-show or news analysis.
Print media have also been instructed not to publish any news item criticizing the government and its activities. Political news including rallies, processions and related pictures, features, editorials, and cartoons have also been banned.
Monday 15 Jan 2007 | Paul | Bangladesh
