Jurnos boycott central bank briefing

The economic reporters of different print, electronic and online media Wednesday (May 8 boycotted the press conference of Bangladesh Bank in protest of the recent ban imposed by the central bank on entry of journalists.

They altogether walked out as soon as the press conference started at 2:30pm.

Economic reporters have been demanding to ensure free access of journalists to Bangladesh Bank, the country's bank and financial sectors’ regulatory body. Various organisations also criticized such autocratic decision.

Already, Transparency International Bangladesh, Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and Sompadok Parishad, Economic Reporters Forum, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Dhaka Reporters Unity, and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit have condemned it. The organizations believe that this unwritten ban on journalists' access to the central bank is against independent journalism, democracy and fundamental and constitutional rights.

The press conference was scheduled at 2:30pm today. Central Bank officials including Deputy Governor Habibur Rahman, Executive Director and Spokesperson Mejbaul Haque were present at the scheduled time.

Before the start of the press conference, journalists wanted to know if the issue of access to information for media workers has been addressed yet. Not getting a satisfactory response, the economic repoprters announced boycott of the press conference and walked out.