Public servants not allowed to speak to media without approval

Government employees will not be allowed to speak to the media without prior approval from heads of their relevant departments.

In a letter on August 18, the Public Administration Ministry told secretaries of all ministries to comply with the 1979 Government Service (Conduct) Rules.

“It’s an old rule. The letter was just a reminder,” Public Administration Secretary Shaikh Yusuf Harun told Dhaka Tribune on Monday.

The letter alleged some public servants were violating the rules by publishing and broadcasting speeches, opinions, articles, letters on various topics on radio, television, talk shows, discussions, newspapers, and the internet.

On many occasions, they are giving comments or opinions on government policy decisions, it said.

According to government service rules, government employees can participate in radio or television shows or publish statements, opinions or articles in newspapers or periodicals, only after securing prior approval from their heads of departments.

“… provided that such sanction shall generally be granted if such broadcast or such contribution or letter is not, or may not be considered likely to jeopardize the integrity of the Government servant, the security of Bangladesh or friendly relations with foreign States, or to offend public order, decency or morality or to amount to contempt of Court, defamation or incitement to an offence,” reads Section 22 of the Government Service (Conduct) Rules.