Dhaka: Editors Council, an organization of editors of highest-circulated newspapers in the country, on Tuesday said that directives regarding programmes and news in the media intervene with the freedom of expression.

‘TV talk-show has been intervened in many ways. Some talk-show programmes have been stopped so far. Lists of talk-show discussants have been specified. Intervention is there regarding TV live programmes. We think the direction regarding which items will be aired or not intervenes with freedom of expression,’ Editors Council said in a statement issued after a meeting.

Alleging that some journalists aren’t getting a chance to cover certain government and party programmes, the statement said it can’t be helpful for independent media to treat the media and other forces as opposition.

The council hoped for a more responsible and co-operative behavior from the government to preserve freedom, objectivity and neutrality of all media including newspapers.

Mentioning that it becomes tough for the media to work maintaining freedom and neutrality in recent times, the statement said on one side attacks are taking place on journalists in the name of political programmes, on the other, efforts are on to squeeze the freedom of media.

‘The government as well as administration are creating obstructions in collecting and distributing neutral news. Sometimes some newspapers have been labeled as the spokesperson of a specific party/quarter,’ the statement added.