Info minister astonished over 'visa restriction' on media

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud has expressed grave concern about United States ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas’ speech about visa restrictions on media.

He said: "US visa policy is a stray incident. But, I am astonished about a speech of Peter Haas which says that mass media will also come under the purview of US visa policy."

The minister said while addressing a Juba League conference in Rajshahi city on Tuesday.

Mentioning that a strong independent media has always been supportive for democracy, Hasan said, "Bangladesh’s mass media is independent and powerful, and works with transparency."

He said: "We do not care about to whom you give a visa or not. It does not matter whether you gave a visa to any Awami League leader or not. It's up to you. But, I do not understand why the visa policy will be effective on mass media."

The minister also said that those who are involved with the mass media including journalists and columnists, think that this is an interference in the independent mass media.

"It is not appropriate for any other country to interfere in our independent mass media. And mass media worker, and people concerned with the media cannot accept it. I hope they (US) will explain the matter," he added.