Three sports journalist organisations -- Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) and Bangladesh Sports Journalists Community (BSJC) -- in separate statements yesterday deplored Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon's remarks and actions towards sports journalists on Wednesday.

The statements came hot on the heels of the BCB president taking the unprecedented step of initially barring reporters from Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Bdnews24.com and Shomoy Television to enter his BEXIMCO Pharmaceuticals office and his statement that “we can be a little selective” regarding admission of reporters at BCB's press conferences.

In their statements the three organisations said that reporters had been cooperating with the BCB from the very beginning regarding the current security measures, but that it would be unacceptable and condemnable if BCB obstructs the professional duty of the sports journalists in the name of security.

They also stated that sports journalists in the country always played a positive role in the progress of the game but the recent comments of BCB president contrasted with that perception.

They expressed their hope that the BCB will refrain from such actions in the interests of Bangladesh cricket and that they will create a healthy atmosphere by removing all obstructions in order to allow the mass media to function.