BNP hits back at govt for putting journos on radar

Criticising the government’s directives to monitor the activities of Bangladeshi journalists abroad, the BNP today said this directive is “manifestation of the one party government”.

“Journalists and mass media are the main basics of democracy. Their independence has been squeezed today. Now their (journalists) movement is under surveillance. This cannot do any democratic government,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the party, said.

Addressing a human chain programme organised by Swadhinata Forum at National Press Club, the BNP leader condemned the government’s such directive.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday instructed all its diplomatic missions to monitor the activities of Bangladeshi journalists abroad and report to Dhaka.

Day after the instruction, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Thursday assured that journalists would face no obstacles in travelling abroad and performing their professional duties there.

The BNP leader alleged that the government is sending BNP leaders and activists behind bars fearing the opposition party.