Journalists, authors and artists at a programme yesterday said they had to undergo self-censorship in recent years due to shrinking space of freedom of expression in the country.

Fear of reprisal from the state and formulation of repressive laws caused much concern and also limited their creative expressions, they said at an Amnesty International programme, marking World Press Freedom Day.

The rights group in partnership with Edward M Kennedy Center arranged the programme titled "Vent House" on the latter's premises in Dhaka.

Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, a cartoonist, said he has to look for alternative ways as restriction over publishing cartoons is more apparent now than a decade ago.

Publishing of political cartoons in newspapers has reduced, he said. "Now, there's little scope for committing 'error'.”

Stand-up comedian Yamin Khan said once he used to perform comedies on politics, but he started to avoid that due to shrinking space of free expression.

Addressing the programme, acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam said the current situation in the country was similar to that of living in a prison as people's freedom had been curbed manifold.

“Living in prison is the worst as one has no freedom there... But if I don't have such freedom outside how can I think I'm not in prison?" he said.

Protests and continuous questions should be put forward whenever there are attempts to curb people's freedom, said the photographer, who was in jail for

107 days last year on charge of "spreading propaganda and false information against the government".

He said Bangladesh has a glorious history of movements, spearheaded by cultural activists.

However, many of them have become "cautious" about what to say and when to remain silent as the time is not in their favour, said Shahidul.

"Favourable time does not come by itself, it has to be created," he added.

He said people have to possess enough courage to achieve freedom. However, one should also adhere to "self-censorship" to avert unwanted circumstances.

'CAMPAIGN TO RECLAIM FREEDOM' Saad Hammadi, South Asia campaigner of Amnesty International, in a statement said the event was part of Amnesty International's continued campaign for reclaiming freedom, which includes the right to freedom of expression in countries where people are met with heavy punishment for peacefully sharing opinions.

"People cannot freely express themselves without protection from the state. Censorship of information and the fear of reprisals dwindle quality of life, integrity and their accountability to the public," he said.

The programme, the first ever campaign event by Amnesty International in Dhaka, reflected on the attacks on media and online platforms, intrusion of privacy and repressive laws, which have been used against people's legitimate rights to freedom of expression, the statement said.

"When people don't know what they

say or write may constitute an offence, they will naturally be afraid to speak. Such feelings breed resentment, and are not healthy for a country's social development."

"We have noticed that newspaper editors in Bangladesh have become extremely careful about publishing stories and editorials, and even refrain from publishing columns and stories due to fear of reprisals," Hammadi added.

A campaign -#YoursPeacefiilly - was also launched at the event to "remind the government that peaceful exercise of freedom of expression must not be criminalised".