The Media Freedom Coalition in Bangladesh has expressed concern over the government's recent decision to cancel the declaration of Dainik Dinkal.

"A free press and free speech play a key role in a transparent democracy," the coalition said in a statement today.

The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) is a cross-regional partnership of countries working together to advocate for media freedom, and for the safety of journalists and media workers, while holding accountable those who harm journalists and restrict them from doing their jobs.

Established at the Global Conference for Media Freedom in July 2019, the MFC now has over 50 member states from six continents.

The Dainik Dinkal, a broadsheet Bangla daily, halted its publication on February 20th, a day after Bangladesh Press Council rejected an appeal against the cancellation of the declaration of the pro-BNP newspaper by the Dhaka district administration.