The French Ambassador in Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, has denied allegations that ten senior journalists were denied visas to France. She said that these claims are false and misleading.
The allegations were made by news editor Abdur Rab Bhuttow, who said that the French representation in Bangladesh had denied visas to ten “pro-government” senior journalists. However, Bhuttow later removed the statement from his account.
It is not clear who the ten journalists in question are or whether they have successfully entered France. However, it is known that a large number of journalists applied for visas to attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. It is possible that the ten journalists in question were among those who applied for visas for this event.
Journalists from countries that do not benefit from visa-free travel must apply for a Schengen Visa for Journalists and Reporters when planning to visit any of the Schengen member states. This visa is designed for members of the press traveling to the Schengen Area for journalistic purposes. When applying for this visa, journalists and reporters are typically required to submit various documents, and it is advisable to lodge the application at least 15 days prior to the intended trip.
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