Media guidelines soon: JS told

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Information minister Abul Kalam Azad told the parliament Sunday that the government would soon formulate separate guidelines for print and electronic journalists, reports bdnews24.com.
Replying to a question, the minister said his ministry had already had discussions with journalist leaders for framing a code of conduct for the media.
"This is very sensitive. We have to talk very carefully about it," said Azad replying to a MP's demand for a code of conduct for journalists without harming press freedom.
The information minister said it was better to have a broadcast policy in the country.
He said the government had already held sittings with the leaders of Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union and other professional bodies of journalists.
"They also talked in favour of a guideline. We hope we will be able to formulate a broadcast policy soon," said the information minister.
Earlier, another Awami League MP Shahiduzzaman Sarker told parliament that the government was in discussion with the private television channels for telecasting news of the state-owned Bangladesh Television.
"The private TV stations have already started broadcasting BTV news of 2pm as per their convenience," said Azad. He has been consulting with private TV channels for telecasting BTV's prime time news at 8.00 pm.
The information ministry last month issued a circular for the private TV channels for compulsory broadcast of BTV's news at 2pm and 8pm.
But the channel owners strongly opposed the order initially saying that they would face financial losses for telecasting BTV news, which is perceived to be a propaganda tool of the ruling party.