Bangladesh has shut down dozens of online news services including those of pro-opposition media, an official said Friday, sparking accusations of government censorship.
\nThe head of the national telecoms regulator said he ordered the closures late Thursday night, citing \u201cobjectionable contents.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve shut down 32 news portals and websites following instructions from an intelligence agency,\u201d Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Shahjahan Mahmood, told AFP.
\nHe said the list included Sheershanews.com, a popular website known for its fast news coverage, and amardeshonline, a news portal linked to a pro-opposition Bengali daily that the government shut down in 2013.
\nThe crackdown comes after the government banned live television coverage of extremist attacks in the wake of last month\u2019s deadly assault on a cafe in which 22 people were killed including 18 foreigners.
\nPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly criticized the coverage of the attack and told private broadcasters to be more responsible.
\nThe head of Sheershanews Ekramul Hoque said he was stunned by the move, which would mean about 100 journalists losing their jobs.
\n\u201cWe think it\u2019s a direct assault on the country\u2019s freedom of press. The government is shutting down the news organizations they don\u2019t like. They want total control of the media,\u201d Hoque said.
\n\u201cBy closing down these news portals, the government is sending a clear message to all media firms that they won\u2019t tolerate any news organization that does not follow their line,\u201d he said.
\nSheershanews was drawing up to 200 million hits a month this year.<\/p>\n