Why is the entry of journalists in Bangladesh Bank so strict?

Journalists are not barred from entering Bangladesh Bank. However, there are restrictions on free access. The complaint says that this stricture has started since the beginning of March. Journalists discussed this with the bank authorities. However, sources say that no solution was found. However, the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) said that after May 8, the bank authorities will hold discussions with the journalists of Bank Beat. Then comes the solution. But, why this strictness, none of the parties said.

Meanwhile, today Thursday (April 25) at 10:30 a.m., angry journalists took a position in front of the bank after being prevented from freely entering the central bank. Later, at around 11 o’clock, ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha and General Secretary Abul Kashem held a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar to resolve the complications related to bank entry. Even then the matter was not resolved.

ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha said that there is no barrier to entry of journalists to Bangladesh Bank. However, the central bank is currently in a somewhat tighter position. We have discussed these with the governor today. They (Bangladesh Bank Authority) will hold a discussion with Bank Beat reporters after May 8. It will discuss and decide how to freely enter Bangladesh Bank as before.

At the end of the meeting, the Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank Mezbaul Haque told the journalists, ‘The Central Bank has decided that from now on journalists can only go to the spokesperson with the specific permission (access pass) of the bank. However, if an official gives a pass to journalists, they can only approach that official. However, they will not be able to freely enter any department of Bangladesh Bank as before.’