Bangladesh
Peter Haas People who prevent media from expressing its opinion will also come under sanction: Peter Haas
Dhaka, Oct 5: Noting that the United States supports the freedom of the media, Peter Haas, the US ambassador to Dhaka, said those who take steps to prevent the media from disseminating opinions will also be subject to sanctions.
The visa policy may also be applied to the media of Bangladesh - Editors Guild Bangladesh, the top organization of editors, wrote to him on September 28, expressing concern over such a statement by the US ambassador.
The statement of the US ambassador in the letter is not clear enough and a clear explanation is sought for this statement. The organization's president Mozammel Haque (Babu) and general secretary Inam Ahmed released this statement. In response to that letter on Tuesday (October 3), Peter Haas reiterated his support for media freedom.
A reply to the letter written to Mozammel Haque and Inam Ahmed, he said, "Many thanks for the letter from the Editors' Guild. Appreciate the opportunity to elaborate on my recent interview on Channel 24. The United States is committed to protecting the freedom of the press, the rights of journalists, and the freedom of expression of the media worldwide. It includes critical views of any government, including the United States."
Citing US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Peter Haas wrote, "Blinken said on May 24 about the visa ban policy that everyone has a responsibility to hold free and fair elections — including voters, political parties, government, law enforcement, civil society and the media. It is equally important that these institutions can properly perform their duties in the democratic electoral process."
He said, "Secretary Blinken added about the US visa policy, it applies to any Bangladeshi person who is believed to be responsible or involved in undermining Bangladesh's democratic electoral process."
Peter Haas added that this could include anyone who takes steps to prevent the media from airing their views and if those steps undermine the democratic electoral process. "We will continue to express our concern when governments use their resources and organizations to censor, restrict internet access and harass journalists."
The United States supports freedom of the press, the ambassador wrote. We will also speak out and enforce our visa policy against those who seek to undermine Bangladesh's democratic electoral process.
