Bangladesh Bank has imposed restrictions on the entry of journalists as the news of various irregularities in the banking sector has been published in various local and international media.
In this regard, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson. Mejbaul Haque told Banner, “Only the person who will give the pass from Bangladesh Bank can be met and no one else. That is the decision for now.”
He said that the central bank has many sensitive issues. All things considered, this system.
Journalists working on the banking sector protested at the main gate of the Central Bank in Motijheel, Dhaka, in protest of this strictness.
The reporters of Economy Beat stayed there for one and a half hours till 12:30 noon that day.
At that time, Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) President Refait Ullah Mirdha and General Secretary Abul Kashem met with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
They requested that journalists should not face any obstacles in collecting information.
Mustafizur Rahman, senior reporter of English daily New Age, participated in the position of journalists.
He told Benar, “We have never faced so many obstacles in entering banks in Bangladesh in the past. “Extreme strictures were imposed after Bangladesh Bank’s assessment of the poor condition of some banks, corruption and banks came out recently.”
He said, “Now you have to take the pass to an official—if such a provision is made, the official will not give any information. Because it will increase his danger.”
Mustafizur Rahman commented that this system is a complete obstacle for independent journalism.
He also said, “Bangladesh Bank should understand that their position favors corruption.”
ERF general secretary Abul Kashem told Benar, “We discussed with the governor, but could not reach any solution. There will be a workshop with reporters of this beat on May 8, where the Governor will be present. Hopefully, all obstacles will be removed from then on.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, ERF said, “For the past 53 years, reporters have been freely collecting information from Bangladesh Bank. Their entry was never banned. The sudden barring of access to reporters increases the risk of misreporting on the banking sector, which is not desirable for any party.”
In a meeting with the ERF president-general secretary, the governor said that the publication of news about various top secret documents of the central bank has had a negative impact on the banking sector. At that time, he refused to lift the ban on the entry of journalists, it was mentioned in the statement.
It is further said, “Governor Abdur Rauf Talukder said that the journalists who want to meet the official, should enter with a pass from that official. Besides, journalists will be able to go to the spokesperson with a pass.”
When asked about this, Abul Kashem told Benar, “This proposal is not acceptable at all. This kind of journalism has never happened in the history of the country. The risk of exposure for both the source and the reporter is high as a result of this process.”
For the corrupt this Location: TIB
When asked about the situation created by Bangladesh Bank by imposing restrictions on the entry of journalists, Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), told Benar that the restrictions imposed by Bangladesh Bank on the entry of journalists is completely unreasonable.
“Journalists do what they do in the public interest and as part of professional responsibility. The position taken by Bangladesh Bank by obstructing them here cannot be accepted in any way,” said Iftekharuzzaman.
He said, “Because of this role, the question will arise, whose interests is Bangladesh Bank working to protect?” Through this position they are either trying to cover up their incompetence and inefficiency, or they are working to save the corrupt. Because this role of the central bank is completely in favor of the corrupt.”
What was in that report of Bangladesh Bank
A part of Bangladesh Bank’s “Bank Health Index and Heat Map” report was released early last month. Where it can be seen, the financial condition of nine banks including three state-owned banks is fragile.
From December 2020 to June last year, the Central Bank has prepared a report by conducting an audit of 54 banks in the country, where the distress of the banking sector has emerged.
According to the central bank’s report, the country’s banks include AB Bank, National Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, Padma Bank, Basic Bank, National Bank of Pakistan and state-owned Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Rupali in the red zone.
According to the report, as many as 29 banks are in yellow zone. Which means, the financial condition of these banks is between good and bad.
This assessment is done in the light of capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market risk.
Incidentally, a rating point of one is considered to be the best and when this point is five, the respective institution is considered to be the worst.
Tags: Access journalists Bangladesh Bank strict
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