Bangladesh tightens noose on media, politics

Dhaka, Jan 27: Bangladesh's interim government has formalised strict control over the media and politics by gazetting regulations that ban rallies and ''provocative'' reporting.

The government said the curbs aimed to make the run-up to elections, a date for which has still to be fixed, free and peaceful.

''Under the gazette notification, the government can restrict publication or transmission of any anti-government news, editorial, post editorial, article, feature, cartoon, talk show or discussion in print or electronic media and any mass media, including the internet,'' the home (interior) ministry said.

It banned provocative reports and comments, rallies, gatherings and processions by political and professional groups, students and teachers, strikes, blockades and lockouts by political parties and trade unions.

The gazette said: ''Processions, rallies and protests are banned during the state of emergency to maintain security of the state or people, and discipline.

It said processions or rallys could be organised ''for religious, social, state or government purposes''.

Political parties and the media have not immediately reacted to the restrictions, but the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern.

''These rules give authorities sweeping powers of censorship that will deprive Bangladeshi citizens of independent information at this critical time of political upheaval,'' a CPJ statement said.

''We call on the interim government to rescind these repressive rules immediately,'' it quoted CPJ executive director Joel Simon as saying.

The curbs will remain in force until the government lifts the state of emergency, declared on January. 11 by President Iajuddin Ahmed in the wake of spreading political violence, in which at least 45 people were killed and hundreds injured.

The election, originally planned for January. 22, was put off after a major political alliance led by Sheikh Hasina, a former prime minister and chief of Awami League, demanded reforms before the vote.

These included the reconstitution of the Election Commission by dropping officials Hasina accuses of a bias towards her rival, Begum Khaleda Zia, the immediate past prime minister, and an overhaul of the voters' list to expunge fake entries.

Reuters