In a move that has sparked widespread condemnation, authorities at Faridpur Medical College (FMEC) Hospital blocked two journalists from performing their duties on Sunday, coincidentally falling on World Press Freedom Day.
Hasan Matubbar, a district correspondent for Ajker Patrika, and a private television camera person were stopped by Ansar members and a duty doctor while attempting to report from the Casualty and Neurosurgery Ward. The journalists were investigating a complaint from a local victim when Dr. Tofazzel Hossain, identifying himself as the registrar in charge, told them that recording video or taking photos without official permission is strictly prohibited.
The journalists were unable to obtain this "permission" as Director Dr. Humayun Kabir was reportedly in Dhaka and did not answer phone calls. Deputy Director Dr. Manab Krishna Kundu also declined to grant access, stating he could not act without the Director's approval.
The Civil Surgeon of Faridpur, Dr. Mahamudul Hasan, clarified that he is unaware of any Health Ministry directive requiring journalists to seek permission for general reporting in government hospitals, though such rules exist for academic research.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Faridpur Press Club and civil society members. Sheikh Monir Hossain, Vice President of the Press Club, described the restrictions as "arbitrary," noting that hospitals are public service institutions, not secret state facilities.
Faridpur Press Club President Md. Kabirul Islam Siddiqui demanded the immediate withdrawal of these informal restrictions, calling them a "strategy to suppress the media."
