'Expedite visas for journalists who want to visit Bangladesh'

The interim government of Bangladesh has asked all missions abroad to expedite visa approvals for any journalists who want to visit Bangladesh.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary of the Chief Adviser, made a Facebook post in this regard on Saturday.

Anyone who wants to report on Bangladesh and the performance of the interim government is most welcome, Shafiqul wrote.

"Yesterday, during his telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said Indian journalists are welcome to Bangladesh and report from the ground here," he added.

"It is better they see the situation themselves and do reports accordingly rather than being dictated by any secondary — and sometimes very exaggerated — reports."

He added he personally called the Bangladesh mission officials in New Delhi and Hong Kong to fast-track all visa applications for journalists.

"We want to build an open society where freedom of press is non-negotiable," he wrote.