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Only court can release BNP chief: Hasan

Online news portals’ registration begins next week


December 03, 2019 00:00:00


Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday reiterated that the release of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia is possible only through the judicial process, reports BSS.

"The BNP chief is in prison being convicted in a graft case and only the court can release her," said Dr Hasan Mahmud, also publicity and publication affairs secretary of AL, at a press briefing at his Secretariat office in the city, adding, "BNP always gives threat that they will wage a movement to release Begum Khaleda Zia . . . but her release is the matter of the court and there is no other way."

The minister said the government has decided to start registering the online news portal from next week, adding steps would be taken against those which will not get registration.

"The Home Ministry has scrutinised the documents of several hundred online news portals . . . The government will give registration to online news portals from next week after examining the related papers."

The minister said a total of 3,595 news portals have applied for the registration.

"All the applications were sent to the home ministry for investigation. Later, we held a meeting with the home, telecom and ICT ministries and urged the home ministry to expedite investigation," he added.

Hasan said online media will be introduced through maintaining proper process in future. None can launch any online news portal without registration, he added.

He also said discipline has been established in the electronic media sector following the government's different steps. The government will take actions if there is any irregularity in the sector, he added.

The minister said some television channels are airing foreign TV serials dubbed in Bangla which is not acceptable.

"So, the ministry has issued an order for TV channels to take the government's approval to broadcast the dubbed serials. Many TV channels have already taken approval to run those serials. A preview committee has been formed to oversee the matter," he added.


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