Debapriya Bhattacharya, honorary fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that something is wrong in Bangladesh Bank that is why the central bank has barred journalists from entering.
Criticizing the central bank, he said that some are getting information and some are not. Businessmen are getting information while journalists are not. If information is given to traders, the market is affected and prices rise.
Debapriya Bhattacharya said these things at the Moazzem Hossain memorial lecture organized by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at the organization's office in Nayapaltan of the capital on Tuesday (May 7).
He said, Bangladesh Bank is a place of people's expectations, a big pillar of information. Prior to the release of BBS data, economists, analysts and policy makers relied on central bank data on financial indicators including exports and imports. Now why the information has been compromised, it will damage the reputation of Bangladesh Bank.
Regarding Bangladesh Bank, Debapriya Bhattacharya also said that it is a state institution. But journalists are not allowed to enter there. His question, if the information is published will it be a major sabotage? Are financial journalists saboteurs?
Addressing the journalists, Debapriya said, you are important people; you are being honored through the fact that the central bank has taken control of the data.
Debapriya Bhattacharya complained that the public representatives are also not being given information. He said, they are also not entitled to get information. Their grief is no less than journalists. As people's representatives have weaknesses, they cannot speak loudly in front of bureaucrats.
Shamsul Haque Zahid, editor of English daily Financial Express, was the special guest at the event. Moderated by ERF Secretary Abul Kashem, it was chaired by organization president Refayetullah Mridha.