BCB press conferences by invitations only

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that future BCB press conferences will be invitation-only events after four journalists were initially refused entry at a briefing at his office on Wednesday.

The BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus had on Tuesday informed some reporters of the board president's press conference. On Wednesday morning, reporters present in Mirpur were told that the press conference will be held at the president's office, located 9 kms to the south of the stadium, at 2.30pm.

But while entering the office, journalists from leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, news website Bdnews24.com and news channel Somoy TV were barred from entering the press conference. The reporters were later asked to come in 14 minutes after the briefing started.

"The issue is not with anyone in particular," Hassan said. "The time is sensitive in Bangladesh, and Bangladesh cricket is within Bangladesh. One false interpretation, a negative news will damage our cricket. We don't want to be part of it.

"Anybody can write anything. We are open. We don't want a different explanation to a comment we make which will hurt our cricket. I don't want anyone to blame me for it. For now, we can be a little selective."

The BCB had, on June 25, said in a press release that "only invited individuals/organisations will be eligible to attend BCB media conferences". Since then, however, the BCB had not issued any invitation to the media for the daily press briefings at its Mirpur headquarters where journalists had general venue access.

Prothom Alo sports editor Utpal Shuvro said that barring of journalists from entering a BCB press briefing was unprecedented and was worried by the development.

"When I first heard what had happened, I was surprised," Shuvro said. "I am disappointed and worried as well. Prothom Alo has had a small role to play in the rise of Bangladesh cricket. We have never intended any damage to the game.

"We love cricket and our team. We are journalists so there will be times when people won't agree with what we write.

"The board president's message wasn't clear about the four organisations. I don't know if we are banned or it was an oversight from their side. It has certainly never happened before in sports in Bangladesh."