News In Brief

Bangladesh journalists keep owners from their offices

Striking journalists and press workers prevented Bangladesh newspaper owners from entering their offices Sunday in the latest move over a pay dispute that had left the country without newspapers for 17 days.

Nearly 1,200 journalists and 4,000 press workers stopped work July 12 because the owners refused to pay a 39 percent salary increase recommended by a government-appointed wage board. The owners said they could not afford the increase unless the government cut the cost of newsprint and made other concessions. The government has promised to place more advertisements at higher rates, but it says the price of newsprint will remain unchanged.