Visa Curbs Will Be Applied If Media Is Gagged : Peter Haas

US visa policy will be applied against Bangladeshis who take steps to prevent the media from airing their views, said Peter Haas, the US ambassador to Dhaka. At the same time, he reiterated his government's commitment to protect media freedom, rights of journalists and news organizations.

The visa policy can also be applied to media in Bangladesh. The editorial board wrote a letter expressing concern over such comments by US Ambassador Peter Haas. Peter Haas explained in response to that letter.

In response, he reiterated his government's commitment to media freedom and the right of journalists and the media to express themselves.

The ambassador said it includes critical views of any government, including the United States. Indeed, we welcome public interest reflections on any of our policies.

The editorial board expressed concern over this remarks of the US ambassador. This concern was expressed in a statement signed by Editor Council President Mahfuz Anam and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud on Saturday (September 30).

Incidentally, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas said in a private television interview on September 24 that members of political parties, law enforcement and former and current government officials as well as the media will be included in the US visa policy in the coming days.

In view of this statement, the president of the editorial board, Mahfuz Anam, sent a letter to Peter Haas via email on September 27. In the letter, he said that the application of the visa policy on the media has created some questions in his mind and in the minds of the members of the editorial board.

He said, frankly this comment has created confusion among us. So we request to clarify the matter.

Mahfuz Anam said that the US government and the country's ambassador personally have always stood for free and independent media, so this comment made them uncomfortable.