DHAKA: Members of Newspapers Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) have condemned and expressed their concern on the restrictions on the media.

Members of the organization criticized the pressure imposed on the media and recent police harassment to the journalists of English daily ‘New Age’ and private TV channel ‘Ekushey Television’.

The NOAB members said that they are deeply concerned about the freedom of expressing thoughts and opinions in the media.

The speakers came up with the assertion in a regular meeting of NOAB in city on Monday.

They said that the media are facing immense restriction in publishing and broadcasting news and views.

Moreover, broadcasting ‘live talk-shows’ in TV channels, imposing newer rules and regulations are being alarming issues nowadays, they added.

However, earlier on December 28, police tried to raid ‘New Age’ office without a search warrant.

NOAB executive committee also feared to have an ominous situation on the media as Abdus Salam, chairman of Ekushey Television (ETV), was arrested in connection with a case filed on ‘Pornography Control Act’ on January 6.

Besides, the speakers also put emphasize on broadcasting news and other programs with great responsibility.

They also upheld some other regular problems of newspaper industry in the meeting.

Prothom Alo publisher Matiur Rahman presided over the meeting where Samakal publisher AK Azad, Dainik Ittefaq acting editor Tasmima Hossain, Dainik Manab Zamin chief editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, New Age publisher ASM Shahidullah Khan, The Daily Star editor and publisher Mahfuz Anam, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Dainik Sangbad editor Altamash Kabir and The Independent editor M Shamsur Rahman, among others, were present at the meeting.

BDST: 1406 HRS, JAN 13, 2015