Media coalition of 9 countries expresses concerns over Dinkal closure

Members of the Media Freedom Coalition in Bangladesh, represented by the Dhaka missions of 9 countries, have expressed their "concern" about the government of Bangladesh’s recent decision over Bangla daily "Dainik Dinkal," known to be an opposition mouthpiece.

A free press and free speech play a key role in a transparent democracy, they said said in a statement sent by the US embassy in Dhaka on Friday.

The statement was signed by the members of the coalition -Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

The Dainik Dinkal halted its publication after Bangladesh Press Council rejected an appeal against the cancellation of the declaration of the pro-BNP newspaper by the Dhaka district administration.