Not all media allowed to cover Hasina's fixtures

In a sudden move, the majority of private media was yesterday restricted from covering a programme of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the grounds that a section of the media does not broadcast and publish her news with due importance.
Journalists, as usual, were invited to cover a meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Board at the Gono Bhaban, with party President Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
But much to the surprise of the newsmen, the Prime Ministers' Office in the afternoon asked television, print media and news agency journalists not to go there to cover her programme.
All the reporters concerned were suggested to collect the event's report from the state run Bangladesh Television and news agency BSS and private news agencies UNB and bdnews24.com.
The reporters and TV camera crews have also been asked not to join the 26th convocation ceremony of the Islamic University of Technology in Gazipur this morning, where the prime minister will be the chief guest, said some TV journalists.
Earlier in the morning, the prime minister at a cabinet meeting at the secretariat expressed resentment over the poor coverage of her programmes on private TV channels and a section of newspapers.
Some ministers said she would not allow the private TV stations to cover her programmes as they broadcast those in the seventh or eighth serial in their bulletins.
Over the last few months, the premier had been critical of a section of the media for censuring the government and downplaying its good deeds and achievements. She also blasted the participants of television talk shows.
Asked about the restriction, a senior minister said let the media wait for a few days to understand the importance of the head of the government's news.
Sources said Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu would soon sit with the owners of private television channels and newspapers separately to deal with the broadcasting and publishing of the head of the government's news, a senior minister told this newspaper.
Contacted, a PMO official said the restriction on the media was only a temporary measure.
Despite repeated attempts, the Daily Star could not reach prime minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad over the phone for his comments on the restriction.