Broadcasting policy an evil attempt to gag media, alleges SCBA

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Khandaker Mahbub Hossain alleged Thursday that the new broadcasting policy is an 'evil attempt' by the government to muzzle the mass media, reports UNB.
"We think the government has framed the new broadcasting policy to hide its failures, misrule, misdeeds, corruption and terrorist acts. It's also an evil effort to gag all types of mass media, including newspapers," he said.
Mahbub, also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, came up with the allegation at a press conference arranged by the SCBA at its auditorium.
He said the government has formulated the policy with its heinous motive to re-establish one-party Baksal rule as it did in the past snatching people's basic and constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression.  "TV talk-shows will be controlled with this policy."
Mahbub also alleged that the current regime is trying to resort to such a policy as it is illegally staying in power with the support of law enforcers after being isolated from people.
Another report adds: Speakers at a roundtable discussion in the city Thursday demanded cancellation of the National Broadcast Policy, 2014 saying it is contradictory to the constitution.
They feared that the government would use the policy as a weapon to gag the media if it is implemented.
The speakers also warned that the government has to face dire consequences if it tries with a mere policy to snatch the freedom of speech which is recognised by the constitution.
Nagorik Oikya organised the roundtable on 'People won't accept the broadcast policy formulate to control media'at the National Press Club in the city.
NPC leaders
Meanwhile, Condemning the hurried issuance of the gazette on the National Broadcast Policy 2014, leaders of the National Press Club demanded immediate cancellation of the policy and the gazette notification.
In a joint statement, President of the press club Kamal Uddin Sabuj and its general secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed protested the national broadcast policy.
Expressing concern, they said the policy came as part of an ill motive to gag the voices of private radio and television channels.