Reacting sharply to media-bashing by the ministers and the ruling BNP MPs, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) said the provocative comments by the ministers against the media made the journalists more vulnerable.

"This is a matter of grave concern that the prime minister who was present in the House during the time remained silent when her cabinet colleagues and party legislators launched the attack on the media. The speaker instigated them to enact a new law against what they called "yellow journalism", the BFUJ leaders said in a statement.

The journalists' leaders bitterly criticised the speaker, deputy speaker and some state ministers and BNP lawmakers for 'irresponsible' comments made by them against the media.

"Besides, the anti-media comments made by the prime minister, Finance Minister, Law Minister, Foreign Minister, Shipping Minister and Industries Minister made the journalists more vulnerable and tarnished the image of the country," they added.

The journalists' leaders also alleged that these provocative comments by the government high-ups against the media, also encourages its field-level leaders to journalist repression.

Painting a gloomy picture of repression on journalists during the last four years of the alliance government, the BFUJ leaders said: "Though 13 journalists were killed during the period, trial of any such killing is yet to be held.

"Moreover, the government created hindrance to holding a national convention protesting against the journalists' repression," they added.

Regarding ruling BNP lawmaker's demand for enacting a new law the media, the leaders said: "The journalists will not accept any new act to control the media."

They also urged the journalists' to continue their works with professional attitude defying the threat.

The signatories to the statement included BFUJ President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Secretary General Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Altaf Mahmud and General Secretary Shah Alamgir, CUJ President and General Secretary Mostaq Ahmed and Shahid-ul-Alam and leaders of other journalists unions.