Bangladesh journalists urge govt to protect freedoms

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's vibrant local media have joined forces demanding that government agencies and the military stop interfering in their work and uphold the freedom of the press.

The journalists also demanded that the government end a state of emergency imposed since January last year, adding there was an "atmosphere of fear" in the country.

Bangladesh is governed by an army-backed interim administration which took over last year vowing to restore order and fight corruption after months of political violence.

Under the emergency, basic rights such as criticism of the government and holding of public rallies are suspended.

"Media organisations have been forced to work under pressure, with limited freedom and in an atmosphere of fear," a statement issued by among others the National Press Club, the Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union and Dhaka Reporters Unity said.

"Meanwhile, different military and non-military agencies of the government are interfering with the day-to-day activities of the media," the journalists said in the statement that was published in newspapers around the country on Wednesday.

The government has denied interfering in the media.

Several media tycoons have been detained, along with top politicians including former prime ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, as part of the government's crackdown on corruption.