The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) expressed on Thursday its fears that the newly-formulated national broadcast policy could be used as a tool to establish the government's control of the mass media.
Local chapter of the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) was also critical over the process to make the controversial policy, saying that it will have adverse impacts on key issues like good governance, human rights and democratic norms and values.
It also asked the government to bring necessary changes to the policy after consulting the stakeholders and form an independent Broadcast Commission of international standard to uphold freedom of speech and press.
"There are some sections of the broadcast policy, which are very much contrary to the Constitution, the Right to Information Act and human rights. So, the sections need to be amended," TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman told a press briefing over the policy at a city hotel in the morning.
Mentioning section 3.2.1 of the broadcast policy, he said the media cannot exhibit or broadcast such things which go against the state or public interest.
"But it doesn't elaborate specifically what are the things that go against the state and the public interest. As there is no clear explanation, the government can use it as per its whim," he added.
TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal said the government hurriedly formulated the sensitive policy and the issue had even not been discussed in the parliament, which raised a number of questions among general people.
She said the policy says that the media cannot criticise the activities of two government agencies, but the agencies are run with taxpayers' money and so they must be accountable to people.
"The media plays a strong role in making them accountable to people. So, this is a matter of serious concern," she said.
"If the broadcast policy is implemented, a culture of impunity will be established among government officials and people's mistrust on government institutions and officials will get stronger," she said.
She further said there is no clear timeframe in the policy on the formation of its independent commission. Due to this loophole, a scope has already been created for the Information Ministry to establish its supremacy on the mass media.
While presenting a keynote paper on the broadcast policy, TIB director Rezwan-Ul-Alam said an independent Broadcast Commission should be formed considering the perspective of Bangladesh and following the international standard.
"Job descriptions of the head and members of the commission should be specified through an act or rules. The recruitment process of the commission must be free, fair and independent, and free from political influence," he said.
People's participation in all the activities of the commission needs to be ensured to make it accountable to the people, he said, adding that the commission cannot be functioning independently unless financial independence of the commission is ensured.
"If the Broadcast Commission depends on the Information Ministry for its budgetary allocation, it will be very hard for the commission to work independently. So, the budget must come from the fund on which the government has no control," he added.
The government administrative officials, people affiliated with any political party, elected people's representatives and retired government officials who are yet to pass three years of retirement should not be included in the commission for the sake of its independent functioning as recommended by the TIB.
It also suggested the policymakers to be very cautious in making search committee for formulation of the Broadcast Commission to avert any controversy.
