The PID officials made phone calls to different print and electronic media and directed them not to be critical of the government.

When the press contacted the PID, its officials said the president's office gave them the verbal instructions on the matter and to convey the order to the media.

A high official at Bangabhaban on condition of anonymity told The Daily Star that the restrictions have been imposed as it had been during previous emergency periods.

The government directed the private electronic media not to broadcast news during the emergency. It also barred the media from telecasting any sort of talk-show or news analysis.

The private TV channels will only air the Bangladesh Television (BTV) news through their satellites, said sources.

It also asked the print media not to publish any news item criticising the government and its activities. Furthermore, political news including rallies, processions and related pictures, features, editorials, cartoons have also been banned.

The official orders will be issued soon, the PID official added.

This is the first time such censorship has been imposed on the press since the restoration of democracy in 1991. The last emergency was imposed during the regime of autocratic president HM Ershad.