The cabinet approved Monday the draft 'National Broadcasting Policy 2014' with provisions under one of which airing TV talk shows with 'confusing and untrue' facts is prohibited.
Also restricted is the broadcasting of news which might tarnish image of the armed forces or law-enforcing agencies or create communal discord.
Under the new broadcast policy, the media cannot air anything that ignites anarchy, confusion and hatred in people and runs counter to the spirit of the War of Liberation and national interest, Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the regular weekly cabinet meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat.
He said the policy would ensure freedom of speech, free flow of information and help flourish independent and responsible mass media.
"It is a comprehensive broadcasting policy that contains seven sections. It will ensure freedom of speech, free flow of information and social responsibility of the media. It will also help flourish independent and responsible mass media in the country," said the secretary about the merits of the government step.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting at the cabinet division.
The cabinet secretary said the sections of the draft broadcasting policy state the rules to be followed on matters that include awarding broadcast media licences (TV channels and radios), forming an independent broadcasting commission and airing advertisements.
He said the broadcasting policy would ensure development and better performance of the mass media so that they could extend effective services to the people. The government could play the role of facilitator.
He informed that a committee headed by the information secretary was formed with maximum members from mass media, non-government organisations (NGOs) and other professional bodies which held consultations with various stakeholders before drafting the broadcasting policy.
Besides, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information (MoI) also reviewed the draft and gave their recommendations before finalising the draft policy.
Mr Bhuiyan said the policy would come into effect through a gazette notification and it would be applicable for both government and private media (television channels and radios).
The information ministry will implement the broadcasting policy until the formation of an independent Broadcasting Commission.
"The policy would be fully implemented through an independent Broadcasting Commission which would be a statutory body," he said.
A bill would be passed in parliament in the light of the policy, under which independent broadcasting commission will be formed.
He said the commission would be constituted through a law and its chairman and members would be selected through search committee comprising the members of the mass media and other professional bodies.
"The independent Broadcasting Commission will formulate necessary rules and regulations to implement the policy. It will also give the commission authority to issue licence for mass media," Mr Bhuiyan mentioned.
He listed the main features of the policy that include upholding the spirit of the War of Liberation, protecting country's own language, culture and values and broadcasting development news.
The cabinet was also apprised about the visit of a Bangladesh delegation led by the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister to Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland on May 12-23.
Besides, a Bangladesh delegation led by the environment and forest minister participated in a conference titled 'Our Ocean' in Washington on June 16-17.
The council of ministers was also formally informed about the participation of the state minister for information and communication technology in a conference titled 'Ministerial Forum on ICT' in Singapore on June 16-17.
