Bangladesh has moved two notches up to 144th position among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index-2016 prepared by Reporters Sans Frontières. But the Paris-based advocacy group voices serious concern over the state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

World press freedom deteriorated in 2015, especially in the Americas, advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said as it released its annual rankings, warning of "a new era of propaganda".

The Bangladesh government has "sometimes failed" to protect the freedom of speech and media, the US has said in its Country Reports

High Court stays for three months the proceedings of 72 cases against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam. The court also issues a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain as to why the initiation and continuation of the cases should not be declared illegal. The rule is returnable in three weeks, the court says.

Three more defamation cases are filed against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam in four districts.

The media is expanding which points to an increasing diversity and volume of information and visuals. Governments tend to equate rising flow of information with free flow of information. A line needs to be drawn there.