"Recently we have noticed that some of the media are publishing or broadcasting dishonest and unprofessional political statements, satirical sketches, cartoons, features, etc, which are creating confusion among the people," said the letter signed by Iftekhar Hossain, principal information officer of the Press Information Department under the Ministry of Information.

"You are requested to be more vigilant to ensure that the mass media do not provide any room for activities, propaganda or reports that are unnecessarily harassing or misinformative about anyone," the letter stated.

"The government hopes that the country's mass media will take greater care in publishing/broadcasting apolitical and substantial news, features, discussions, satirical sketches and cartoons, in order to maintain the positive role of the electronic and print media," the letter added.

"Moreover, it has also been noticed that some newspapers are publishing motivated and exaggerated reports about government officials, businessmen, professionals, intellectuals, and politicians in an effort to create confusion among the people," the letter went on.

"A few of the news media are spreading intentional misinformation about people of different classes and professions as a strategy for illegally extorting money, which is counterproductive to healthy, constructive and responsible journalism," Iftekhar said in the letter.

The letter also stated, "The mass media's role in carrying out the government's ongoing multifaceted reform programmes has been praised by all quarters. Because of this positive role, the government is always proactive in maintaining the freedom of the electronic and print media in spite of the country being under a state of emergency."

"As a result, the government has been flexible and tolerant in implementing the provisions of the Emergency Powers Act, 2007," the letter said.