BB restrictions against journos exemplifies anarchy in banking sector: Journo leaders

Journalists are being barred from entering the Bangladesh Bank to cover up plunderings, anarchy, and irregularities in the country's banking sector, alleged journalist leaders.  

The leaders have threatened to go for a tough movement if journalists are not allowed unhindered access to the central bank as before by withdrawing the restrictions at the quickest possible time.

"The entry restriction imposed on journalists by the Bangladesh Bank exemplifies the anarchy in the banking sector," said National Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta at a discussion on the BB restrictions at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office in Dhaka today (15 May). 

He said, "Tk800 crore has been stolen from the Bangladesh Bank reserves in a heist. Did the thieves need to enter the Bangladesh Bank for this?

"It's not like information can be withheld by not allowing journalists to enter the central bank. This is a wrong decision on the part of the central bank."

Taking a jibe at the central bank, Dutta, who is also editor of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, said, "They have allowed one person to own seven or eight banks. It has become difficult to speak against those owners. They recently took over another bank through the central bank."

Calling on ERF members, the senior journalist said there was no time to sit idle if journalists wanted to secure their rights.

"You'll have to take to the streets. The ERF is a respectable organisation. I'll be by your side in this movement. Speed up your movement. Journalists' reports help the government. So run this movement more vigorously. We will rest only after securing our rights."

ERF President Refayet Ullah Mirdha said, "We tried a lot. We talked to the governor. He told us to continue our visits to the central bank and promised that the situation would be resolved. But even after a month and a half, our fellow journalists are still unable to enter the Bangladesh Bank.

"Our colleagues are saying that their phones are being tracked. This is horrifying! We need to go for a tougher movement in this regard." 

ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem moderated the programme.

Criticising Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Dhaka Journalist Union President Sohel Haider Chowdhury said the central bank had got an "unqualified governor."

"In a bid to hide his weaknesses, he banned journalists from entering the central bank. During the tenure of this governor, the Bangladesh Bank could not achieve success in any index. On what basis did the price of the dollar increase by Tk7 without any prior announcement?" questioned Sohel.

Shamsul Haque Zahid, founding convenor of the ERF and editor of The Financial Express, said the central bank has stopped disclosing some information that it used to reveal even in the 1970s.

UNB Editor Farid Hossain said the Bangladesh Bank has caused harm to itself by imposing restrictions on journalists.

"The constant reports about them in newspapers are ruining their image. Due to this, questions are being raised about various issues at the Bangladesh Bank. The question also arises as to whether or not they are doing so to favour a particular group."

Syed Sukkur Ali Shuvo, president of Dhaka Reporters Unity, said, "The Bangladesh Bank must ensure access for journalists. We will organise a sit-in programme blocking the entrance of the Bangladesh Bank."

Quader Gani Chowdhury, secretary general of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, said, "The restriction is aimed at keeping news of theft of Bangladesh Bank's reserves and theft of gold from the vault away from people."

Calling for a tougher movement to realise the demand of the journalists, he said, "We have done it in the past, and we will do it this time too. When we, as journalists and leaders of all backgrounds, come together, we can make it."

It may be recalled that on 25 April, the central bank imposed strict restrictions on journalists' access to its headquarters.

From now on, journalists will only be able to visit the spokesperson of the central bank at its building by using a specific permit issued by the institution, Mezbaul Haque, the Bangladesh Bank spokesperson, told The Business Standard at the time. **