The Bangladesh Parliament Journalists Association (BPJA) has issued a formal protest over restrictions on media access to the oath-taking ceremony of the 13th National Parliament.
In a joint statement, BPJA President Harun Jamil and General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho described the National Parliament as the centre of democracy and said the relationship between the legislature and the media is inseparable.
They said the journalist community, as the fourth pillar of the state, has historically played a crucial role behind the scenes of parliamentary proceedings.
The association expressed deep regret, saying journalists’ access to parliament had never been questioned in the previous 12 elections.
However, restrictions were imposed during the oath-taking ceremony of the 13th Parliament even before its formal activities began, the statement said.
The BPJA attributed the situation to what it termed the inefficiency, inexperience and whims of a top official at the Parliament Secretariat.
Despite several meetings where BPJA leaders sought traditional access or, at minimum, entry for accreditation cardholders, the official concerned allegedly delayed taking any decision.
Although authorities initially gave assurances, no effective step was taken, resulting in Bangladesh Television being the only media outlet allowed to cover the ceremony.
The association said the incident appeared to be a deliberate attempt to embarrass the elected democratic government by creating a confrontation with the media.
It added that inexperienced and anti-media officials fail to recognise the professional role journalists play in parliamentary functions.
The BPJA called on the relevant authorities to take action against those responsible for what it described as creating an unnecessary divide.
