Rights groups condemn Bangladesh for canceling accreditation of 167 journalists

abcnews.go.com:

An association of editors and rights groups has condemned a decision by Bangladesh’s interim government to cancel press accreditations for 167 journalists, calling it a threat to press freedom in the country

NEW DELHI — An association of editors and rights groups has condemned a decision by Bangladesh’s interim government to cancel press accreditations for 167 journalists, calling it a threat to press freedom in the country.

Between Oct. 29 and Nov. 7, the Press Information Department revoked the accreditations in three phases, drawing widespread criticism from press advocates and journalists.

The move has added to concerns over press freedom and harassment of journalists following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina August in a student-led revolt against her government.

The Editors’ Council said the cancellation of accreditation by the interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus risks “fostering a climate of exerting control, including censorship, over the media”.

No reason was given in the notices by the department, except that the decision was made under provisions of a 2022 policy.

The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press.

In a statement, the Editors' Council said Tuesday that while officials have the right to review any misuse of accreditation cards, they should not take action without providing specific allegations and proof of wrongdoing.

It added that the decision also went against the spirit of the revolution that toppled Hasina's 15-year rule. Hundreds were killed in the uprising that began as a protest over government jobs and morphed into a large-scale revolt against Hasina’s increasingly autocratic administration.