The right of freedom of press is not treated merely as a technique but it is increasingly perceived as an individual’s tool to play due role in democratic process in a more effective manner aimed at fostering welfare of the common people. Presently a significant number of print and electronic media are in operation in Bangladesh. At the same time several laws exist in the country for prohibiting the disclosure of official documents and such laws stand as significance barriers for both print and electronic media in the free flow of information as well as protecting human rights of the common people. Few of those laws create a legal regime for the administration to conceal truth and facts of public importance from the people. The combined effects of these provisions create considerable scope for “administrative discretion” to camouflage both the acts of omission and commission. The immediate past Caretaker Government promulgated the Right to Information Ordinance 2008 to ensure people’s right aimed at getting necessary information from the state. This study examined the laws in Bangladesh, to see how they limit press freedom in the interests of state and individual rights to reputation. This also examined whether the legal limitations are justified in a democracy or not. The analysis shows that due to the historical origins, original intentions and their practices, the laws in Bangladesh directly or indirectly restricts press freedom. Further analysis revealed that the successive governments retained some elements of authoritarianism in the media field. All the successive governments, particularly military regimes were not committed to develop democratic institutions but rather considered the laws as useful in dealing with its opponents. The study also showed that the government is aware of the restrictiveness or shortcomings in the laws relating to the media but is not willing to offer genuine and comprehensive reforms. However, with the adoption of a strong freedom of information law, Bangladesh will very soon be able to join a long list of nations towards guaranteeing this important right, which can eventually add values in achieving the targets of the MDGs by the year 2015. The study also recommends some suggestions for media personnel and the concerned authority with a view to make some changes in press law for benefiting cross section of people.