Broadcast Policy to throttle media

FE Report | Published: August 31, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Speakers at a discussion criticised on Saturday the proposed National Broadcast Policy saying that the move would throttle media and do damage to democracy and Bangladesh's growth potential.
They suggested that the government should realise whether those who suggested such an 'undemocratic policy' did it to tarnish the government's image or not.
Senior journalists, academicians, lawyers and civil society members participated in the discussion on "Upcoming Challenges to Mass Media" organised by the Editors' Council, a platform of editors of the country's national dailies, at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.
Terming the proposed policy the main challenge to flourishment of the mass media, they also demanded formation of an independent broadcast commission for making a media-friendly policy in consultation with stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion, eminent lawyer Barrister Amirul Islam said participation of the stakeholders was not reflected in the proposed policy as the government hurriedly framed the proposed policy for a sector, which is very much sensitive.
"I think the government should conduct an inquiry against those who suggested such a move as it has started tarnishing the image of the government. I'm doubtful they are friends of the government," he said.
Terming mass media the 4th pillar of the Constitution, he said foundation of the state could be weakened by establishing control of the government on the media.
Expressing deep concern over the proposed policy, professor emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said the media had been growing amid different kinds of control from owners, advertisers and so on.
"If any new sort of control is imposed, it will narrow down people's space of hope about the media. It is very much unexpected also," he said.
He was critical of the deep division in the journalist community like other professionals and called upon the union leaders, editors and all journalists to remain united for fighting against the move.
Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the policy would have adverse impacts on key issues like good governance, human rights and democratic norms and values.
"There are some sections of the broadcast policy, which are very much contrary to the Constitution, the Right to Information Act and human rights," he said. Mentioning section 3.2.1 of the broadcast policy, he said the media cannot exhibit or broadcast such things which will go against the state or public interest.
"But it doesn't elaborate specifically what are the things that go against the state and public interest. As there is no clear explanation, the government can use it as per its whim," he added.
General Secretary of the Editors' Council Mahfuz Anam said TV stations and FM radios were following the existing laws, policies, especially the guidelines given during issuing the broadcasting licences.
"So if the existing rules and guidelines helped bring about a revolution in the arena of electronic media, then why go for any new policy, especially when it runs the risk of thwarting the growth process," he said.
He said the government rightly said that they took the initiative on requests from the journalists' community who demanded formation of an Independent Broadcast Commission in consultation with all stakeholders, especially media practitioners and owners, before formulating the policy.
"It was never conceived to be formulated by the bureaucrats with cosmetic representation from stakeholders whose suggestions were ultimately largely ignored," he said.
Shaikh Siraj, General Secretary of ATCO (Association of Television Channel Owners), said the proposed broadcast policy would not help uphold freedom of speech and help the industry flourish.
"The policy has many things, which would surely create obstacles to ensuring freedom of media. We also demanded some sorts of incentives from the state as enjoyed by newspaper owners, which were not reflected in the policy," he said.
Senior professor of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) at the University of Dhaka Golam Rahman said the government moved to frame the policy taking the opportunity of not having any such policy of any media outlet. "The media houses can formulate their own policy," he said, suggesting that the media owners should propose the structure of the broadcast commission.
"We demanded an independent commission with highly qualified individuals having sound knowledge about media and let them formulate a policy in consultation with the stakeholders," President of Editors' Council Golam Sarwar said.
News Today editor Riaz Uddin Ahmed, CEO of Maasranga Television Syed Fahim Munaim, Chief Editor and Managing Director of Ekattor TV Mozammel Babu, Presidents of both factions of BFUJ Shawkat Mahmud and Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, among others, spoke on the occasion.