Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said the recently formulated National Broadcast Policy is conflicting with the country’s constitution, human rights and the Right to Information Act.
“The policy has been formulated in a unidirectional way to restrict freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” Sultana Kamal, TIB chairperson, said while addressing a press conference at Hotel Abakash in the capital yesterday.
The cabinet approved the broadcast policy on August 4 with a provision that television and radio cannot broadcast any news that may tarnish the image of the country’s law enforcement agencies and the armed forces. It has drawn widespread criticism from all stakeholders.
Sultana Kamal said: “The government claims the policy has been formulated to make mass media accountable by elevating the fundamental rights and personal freedom of citizens, but we think the policy is clearly aimed to control the freedom of press.
“The policy has not been formulated following the due process as it has not been discussed in parliament.”
In regard to the provision on not broadcasting news on the armed forces or law enforcement, she said: “The law states media can broadcast news on any member if he/she breaches disciplines of the forces or engages in unlawful activities, but how would the media immediately know who breaks the law?
She added: “The RTI Act does not allow anyone to get information about the armed forces while the implementation of the policy will create a culture of impunity among the agencies and people will lose confidence in them.
“These are not government agencies, rather these are state agencies employed by the state with tax paid by us. So, they are accountable to us. The media is the most important tool to ensure accountability.”
Addressing the programme, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said some provisions of the policy can easily be misinterpreted, which might be subject to the risk of motivated, subjective and arbitrary interpretations.
“The law clearly contradicts with the RTI Act 2009. Meanwhile, there are some unclear provisions in the policy, which can easily be misinterpreted. When the policy is unclear, the rule will also not be clear,” he said.
The organisation had recommended that the government form an independent broadcast commission to implement the policy.
“While formulating the policy and rules related to broadcasting, the government should discuss the issues with stakeholders to avoid any such misinterpretation,” the executive director said.