The government will not stand for the vandalism of any newspaper office or the shut down of any media outlet through the use of force, Information Adviser Nahid Islam has said.

"Those involved in vandalising newspaper offices and intimidating the media will be brought to book," he said at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.

"There was tension regarding the Prothom Alo over the last few days. Tension was created in front of its Dhaka office yesterday [Sunday]. The newspaper's Rajshahi office came under attack today [yesterday]. Besides, demonstrations took place in different parts of the country, including in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria [in this connection]."

A group of people also demonstrated in front of The Daily Star office on Friday.

"Our position is that if a section of people has any complaint about a media outlet, they can express their resentment peacefully. We don't support vandalising any newspaper office or putting pressure on one to shut it.

"We will not tolerate any such incident in the future."

"People have the right to assembly. If anyone has any specific complaint [against a media outlet], they can take legal actions. We call upon the people not to take part in any anarchic activity, and to refrain from doing anything that would taint the image of Bangladesh."

In a Facebook post, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam yesterday condemned the attack on the Prothom Alo's Rajshahi office.

"I condemn with the strongest terms the attack on the Prothom Alo office at Rajshahi. If you have complaints against the journalism of the Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, or any other media outlets, you can go to courts to seek legal redress. You can also hold peaceful protests. Protests against media outlets aren't new. It has been going on for centuries. But threats and intimidation of journalists or attacking media outlets will not be tolerated," he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) have also expressed concerns over recent protests outside the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, in Dhaka and Chattogram.

BJIM is particularly troubled by the implications for the safety and security of journalists working at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, according to a press release issued yesterday.

BJIM, an advocacy group for press freedom, urged protesters to express their concerns peacefully and constructively.

"Refrain from actions that could provoke or threaten any members of the press," it stated.

In a separate statement, CPB President Shah Alam and General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince condemned the attacks and defamation directed at the two newspapers.

Any interference with freedom of expression will undermine the spirit of the mass uprising, said a press release.

The government cannot evade its responsibility to ensure freedom of expression and maintain law and order, it added.