Economic Reporters demand withdrawal of ban on entry to BB

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Dhaka, Apr 25 - Bangladesh Bank’s  unofficial ban on reporters from entering the central bank building for news gathering may lead to misinformation  on the banking sector, said Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF).

The BB's restriction for reporters has been in place for a month making it difficult for bank srctor reporters to gather accurate informationfor in this field.

In such a situation, ERF president Refayet Ullah Mirdha and General Secretary Abul Kashem  held a meeting with the BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and spokesperson Mesbaul Haque on Thursday to discuss and resolve the issue.

On the other hand, the reporters of the bank beat observed a sit-in protest  in front of the BB demanding entry of reporters into the central bank.

The reporters alleged that the  ban was imposed  to protect a group of loan defaulters and supress the right information that the people want to know from reporting on the banking sector.

They said that such decisions benefit a group of bank directors and businesses who misled and forced the BB to make policy in favour of them.

The central bank has imposed this measure at a time when the financial sector is reeling under various problems. Customers are not getting money back from most of the financial institutions, some banks in crisis are operating under the special loan of the central bank, reporters said from the sit-in.

The governor has taken this decision to protect  from the media the businessmen and banks involved in big scams and irregularities. Through this, his true character is revealed, said the protesters. Such a decision has never been taken before since the establishment of the central bank.

Even after a meeting of the ERF president and general secretary with the governor, the dispute  has not been resolved.

The BB Executive Director and Spokesperson Mesbaul Haque told reporters after the meeting the central bank has decided that from now on, reporters can only go to the spokesperson with the bank's specific permission (access pass).

But if an official gives a pass to a reporter, he can only go to that respected official. However, as like before, they (reporters) will not be able to freely enter any department of the central bank. - UNB