The CA reaffirmed his government's belief in full freedom of the press, the state of emergency notwithstanding. In an enlightened view reflective also of his robust sense of pragmatism he looked upon the media being a link between the government and the people in the absence of any parliament now. Of particular significance is the CA's advice to the NOAB members and editors "to bring to his notice any barrier (to press freedom) they might face in the future."

Actually, there has been no dearth of commitment on his part to press freedom since he took over but there are certain parts of the government which didn't seem to act in sync with his ideas. Some organs of the government have proved intrusive making telephone calls, inviting journalists to talk and giving them advice and directives including issuing media advisory and press notes curbing press freedom.

In Dhaka, the situation would go as far as that, but in the district towns, the journalists have had to encounter a more direct form of pressure. All this created an environment of fear in which self censorship was induced with the stifling of free flow of information in the process.

All governments but caretaker government more so operate better through reliable information best available from an independent source like the responsible media. The government's own channels are likely to highlight the brighter side of things more than the darker one. A government's stands to benefit from credible information that newspapers with commitment to the people are in a position offer.

We take the opportunity of reiterating our concerns hoping that the chief adviser's reassurances to the press would have a percolatory effect down the line and our concerns will be fully addressed.