Freedom of speech exists in Bangladesh: PM

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SANGSAD BHABAN, May 8, 2017 (BSS) – Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina today categorically said that there is freedom of speech in the country as the newspapers here are enjoying full freedom.

“But all concerned will have to be responsible to enjoy this freedom. However, freedom doesn’t mean to tarnish the rights of anybody,” she said while delivering her winding up speech in the 15th session of the 10th Parliament.

Citing the recent Amnesty International report about the existence of freedom of speech in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said: “I would like to clearly say that the country’s newspapers and electronic media are enjoying full freedom. There is also freedom of speech and person.”

The prime minister said if anybody wants to enjoy freedom, he or she will have to enjoy it with responsibility. “It’s the reality … I hope that everybody would remember it,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said there are 34 television channels and 750 daily newspapers in the country. “I would like to say those who published the report of Amnesty International that criticism and discussion are continuing randomly against us and this is being aired live. But nobody is obstructing this,” she said.

The prime minister said the newspapers are continuing their writings. “But anybody doing yellow journalism, disseminating false information and assassinating anybody’s character, then the victim has the right to protect himself/herself from it,” she said.