DHAKA, 28 January 2007 — Bangladesh’s interim government has formalized strict control over the media and politics by gazetting regulations that ban rallies and “provocative” reporting.
The government said the curbs aimed to make the run-up to elections, a date for which has still to be fixed, free and peaceful. “Under the gazette notification, the government can restrict publication or transmission of any anti-government news, editorial, post editorial, article, feature, cartoon, talk show or discussion in print or electronic media and any mass media, including the Internet,” the Home Ministry said.
It banned provocative reports and comments, rallies, gatherings and processions by political and professional groups, students and teachers, strikes, blockades and lockouts by political parties and trade unions. The gazette said: “Processions, rallies and protests are banned during the state of emergency to maintain security of the state or people, and discipline.
It said processions or rallies could be organized “for religious, social, state or government purposes.”
Political parties and the media have not immediately reacted to the restrictions, but the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern.
“These rules give authorities sweeping powers of censorship that will deprive Bangladeshi citizens of independent information at this critical time of political upheaval,” a CPJ statement said.
