US Ambassador Peter Haas has said the United States staunchly defends press freedom and the right of journalists and media outlets to exercise their right to freedom of expression.
This includes views critical of any government, including the United States, he added.
He made the statement in response to a letter sent by the Editors Guild Bangladesh on impact of US visa restriction on media, says a media statement.
The association sent a letter to the US envoy on September 28 expressing concerns with reference to his recent remarks in a TV interview that media in Bangladesh can come under the purview of US visa restrictions.
In his reply addressing Editors Guild Bangladesh President Mozammel Haque (Babu) and General Secretary Inam Ahmed on Tuesday, US Ambassador Peter Haas categorically said that his country supports the freedom of the press.
Editor Guild said it wants to trust the US government’s clarified position on visa restriction and US Ambassador Peter Haas’ statement.
“Being assured, Editor Guild Bangladesh wants to keep trust in the clarified positions of the US government and the ambassador who are known as firm advocates of free and independent press,” it said in a press release.
