(MW/IFEX) – According to Media Watch, on 13 August 1998, the Foreign Ministry officially withdrew its order denying journalists entry onto the Ministry’s premises. In a formal meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad announced the withdrawal of the order and declared his full support for the journalists and […]
(MW/IFEX) – According to Media Watch, on 13 August 1998, the Foreign
Ministry officially withdrew its order denying journalists entry onto the
Ministry’s premises. In a formal meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondent
Association of Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad announced the
withdrawal of the order and declared his full support for the journalists
and their professional requests. The Deputy Minister, the Foreign secretary
and other high officials were present.
**Updates IFEX alert of 27 July 1998**
Background Information
On 26 July 1998, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued an order denying any
journalist entry onto the Ministry’s premises. The Ministry also instructed
its officers not to talk to journalists regarding their professional
requests and ordered journalists to get a special pass from Ministry
officials before entering the area. The decision came after the publication
of two news items in the local media related to relations between Bangladesh
and the United States of America (see IFEX alert).
