Bangladesh has asked all its missions abroad to expedite visa approvals for journalists who want to visit Bangladesh.

‘During his telephone conversation with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said that Indian journalists are welcome to Bangladesh and report from the ground here.

‘It is better they see the situation themselves and do reports accordingly rather than being dictated by any secondary-and sometimes very exaggerated-reports,’ said chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday.

Alam said that he personally called the Bangladesh mission officials in New Delhi and Hong Kong to fast-track all visa applications from journalists.

‘We want to build an open society where freedom of press is non-negotiable,’ Alam said.

So anyone who wants to report on Bangladesh and the performance of the interim government is most welcome, said the press secretary.