CPJ unhappy over deteriorating conditions in Bangladesh

New York, Aug 24 (UNI) The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been dismayed by the reports of assault, detention and harassment of local journalists by security forces attempting to enforce the indefinite curfew imposed on Dhaka and five other Bangladeshi cities in response to growing unrest across the country.

The CPJ also expressed concern over warnings to the media from members of the interim government and from the military that have resulted in widespread self-censorship, particularly among broadcast outlets, according to a statement issued yesterday by Kavita Menon, in charge of the scribes body's Asia program.

''Journalists must be free to report independently on the unfolding political crisis, without interference from security forces and without fear of retribution from the government,''CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in the statement.''The interim government so far has maintained that it is not imposing direct censorship, but it is clearly taking steps to control media coverage.'' The CPJ, which is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organisation, works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

On Wednesday, the military-backed interim government in Bangladesh announced an indefinite curfew in six urban centers that had been the scene of violent clashes between police and students calling for an end to emergency rule. Though officials had assured that the news media could operate freely during curfew hours without carrying special passes, dozens of journalists were assaulted and detained by members of the security forces in the course of their work, according to local news reports and CPJ sources.

''The political crisis will only be exacerbated by attempts to suppress news and opinion,'' said Simon. ''This government must not abuse the extraordinary powers it has under the state of emergency to keep the public in the dark.'' Late yesterday, the Press Information Department issued statement asking print and electronic media personnel to obtain special curfew passes from the metropolitan police. Local journalists, however, told the CPJ that there was an acute shortage of passes.

The CPJ also expressed concern about widespread self-censorship among local broadcast media following yesterday's remarks by Mainul Hosein, adviser for law and information for the interim government, reminding journalists that emergency regulations were in force and urging the media to ''play a responsible role''.

Private television channels in Bangladesh abruptly stopped carrying reports about the street demonstrations, suspending even the popular political discussion programs about the day's news.

Two television channels -- the private Ekushey Television and the 24 hour news network CSB TV --received a written notice from the Press Information Department warning them not to broadcast 'provocative' news. Journalists from print and broadcast media outlets also have been receiving phone calls from military intelligence officials instructing them to exercise greater caution in their reporting, according to the sources.

UNI