Inu: Media monitoring cell in the offing

The government has taken an initiative to set up a media monitoring cell to supervise news contents published by print and online newspapers, and blogs, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu told parliament yesterday. “An initiative has been taken to establish a media monitoring cell to oversee the news reports published in the media,” he said while replying to a scripted question from ruling Awami League MP Pinu Khan during the question-answer session. Inu alleged that a section of news media and blogs were trying to create theist-atheist division in the society by writing against the sentiments of Hindus, Muslims and other religious beliefs. Claiming that the print and electronic media were enjoying full freedom, the minister said: “Taking advantage of the freedom, a section of media or online newspapers, social networking sites and blogs are instigating communalism. “The government has adopted tough stance against any conspiracy and provocation of creating unrest or hurting the religious sentiment of the citizens.” He said that the government was working on preparing an online media support policy to oversee the websites. Under the policy, the online-based newspapers would be brought under a registration process, Inu said.