MoI serves show cause notices on two organisations

The Ministry of Information (MoI) served show cause notices on Monday to two organisations for violating the existing law by illegally airing local advertisement on foreign TV channels.

Nationwide Media Ltd and Zadu Vision Ltd were served notices by the MoI under sub-section 19 (13) of Cable Television Networks Act, 2006.

The notices were served from the ministry's TV-2 section, a high official of the ministry told the FE.

Earlier, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud warned on March 30 last of strict law enforcement against the airing of local advertisements on foreign TV channels.

"We're going to strictly enforce law from April 01 to check the airing of local advertisements on foreign TV channels," he said at a programme with the leaders of Broadcast Journalists Centre on Saturday last in the city.

The local private TV channels owners said that they have been facing financial constraints due to airing of local advertisements on foreign TV channels.

"We hope cable operators will cooperate with us in protecting the industry (private TV stations)," Dr Mahmud said. He said the government would take punitive measures against those involved in foreign TV advertising.

Dr Mahmud said the big challenge to private TV channels is the rate of advertisement. "The number of private channels has increased, but their market is getting squeezed," he added.

"At the same time, the channels have also cut the rates of advertisement in the interest of their survival," he said.

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