Dhaka, Janaury 30:

Bangladesh’s interim government said today it had not imposed media curbs allowed under a state of emergency imposed this month and pledged to respect press freedom.

“The government wishes to reiterate unequivocally that no restrictions have been imposed on the media’s freedom and functions,” it said in a statement. Under the Bangladesh constitution, press freedom is automatically subject to curbs during an emergency, and the caretaker government said in a notice published last week it could ban or restrict publication of anti-government news. It added the government can impose restrictions on the press and anyone breaking the curbs.