"Media in Bangladesh is absolutely free, but journalists are sometimes abusing it," he said at a roundtable in the city organised by Mass-line Media Centre (MMC) and American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (Aibs).

Addressing the roundtable as its chief guest, Moudud alleged the practice of yellow journalism was also frequent in the country. "But, if the government speaks about it, all media will shout in protest. This is the [sorry] condition of our freedom of expression."

The law minister said the constitution of Bangladesh endorsed complete freedom of expression. But, that freedom is always subject to some restrictions and journalists have to abide by that, he maintained, saying, "In fact, here lies the success of the press."

On killing of journalists, the law minister said the incidents occurred mostly in the southwest region of the country, as the victims were brave enough to expose the terrorists and the extremists. "It has nothing to do with the freedom of press," he claimed.

Alluding to the draft Act of Right to Information presently being scrutinised by the law ministry, Moudud said the Official Secrecy Act that stood in way of right to information would be loosened by this law.

Academicians, columnists, journalists and journalism students participated in the roundtable, arranged as a part of an exposure study programme undertaken by nine visiting students of the Pennsylvania State University, USA. Thomas Susen, one of the nine, presented the keynote paper on 'Freedom of Information Act: Why Democracies Need Them' to the session.

Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly, overseas director of the Aibs, chaired the roundtable.