A number of academics and senior journalists have criticized US Ambassador Peter Haas for his public announcement on inclusion of media under the visa restriction policy ahead of the upcoming national election, calling it “an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression by a foreign diplomat in the country.”
While US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller refrained from mentioning “media” in response to a question specifically on the issue, Ambassador Haas, appearing on a TV interview, went on record saying that media could fall under the new visa restrictions.
This remark involving the media by the ambassador has been described by some senior journalists as an “affront to the freedom of press.”
They also blasted Mushfiq Fazal Ansari, a former press official of Khaleda Zia, for his projection of “independent media outlets” as “pro government machinery” at a US State Department briefing, which they said was intended to further intimidate media outlet owners and journalists to “favor the opposition” ahead of the election.
“The statement of the ambassador to expand visa restrictions on journalists can be seen as an attempt to silence the voices of the people, and impose unseen censorship on the media, which contradicts the principles of freedom of expression and press freedom, the main pillars of democracy and governance,” a statement issued by Editors Guild reads.
Read: Freedom of press is vital in any democracy: CDA Helen
Referring to the earlier US call that stated “actors interrupting or intimidating media” from performing independently would face visa restrictions, Professor Dulal Chandra Biswas, of Mass Communication and Journalism department at Rajshahi University, said that Haas’ remark demonstrates a striking shift form earlier stance.
“While earlier they said troublemakers for the media would be punished, now we are seeing a complete U-turn from earlier stance. If implemented, this will become the biggest roadblock to independent journalism,” he added.
A senior journalist who has worked with international media for decades, choosing to remain anonymous, put the spotlight on the inconsistency, pointing out that the US State Department spokesperson did not include media while speaking on the issue.
“As the US claims to prioritize press freedom, the potential impact of Haas’ announcement on media and journalists remains to be seen,” he added.
“How can you lecture others on press freedom and include the media in visa restrictions?” — questioned Tabiur Rahman Prodhan, associate professor of Mass Communication and Journalism department at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.
Read: Govt firmly believes in freedom of press: PM
Meanwhile, eminent rights activist Sultana Kamal, while speaking to a TV reporter, remarked: “A country has the right to deny visa, but serious questions arise on the motive behind a series of pre-announcements that they will not issue visa.
“Does such a move of issuing announcements really uphold diplomatic etiquette?” — she wondered.
“Unless all political parties remain committed, no one can make elections free and fair,” the former adviser to a caretaker government said.
Following the US ambassador’s announcement, a number of pro BNP and Jamaat social media activists and leaders lashed out at certain media outlets and named a number of journalists for their critical reportage on the parties.
Read more: Freedom of media needed to build equity-based society: Info Minister
In videos, circulated on social media and shared by supporters, they hailed the US ambassador’s recent remark on including media in the visa restrictions and named a number of private television channels that BNP has boycotted.
Basherkella, a pro-Jamaat-e-Islami X (Twitter) account, also tweeted that Haas “is a true friend of Bangladesh.” This particular social media account made news for running what the minority Ahmadiyya community called a “hate campaign” against them.