Commission to monitor online mass media

A proposed draft of the National Online Mass Media Guideline will be placed at Monday's regular Cabinet meeting to bring the country's online news media under regulation. Once the Cabinet clears the draft, the Information Ministry will publish a gazette bringing the guideline into effect, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has confirmed the Bangla Tribune. A commission, which will be set up according to the draft's proposal, will monitor online media and ensure proper implementation of the guideline. It will also take yearly or half-yearly reports from the media on news run by them. These reports will be later submitted to the government. The commission will also pay visits to the online news media. It has been learnt that the commission will slap show-cause notices on media organisations on specific charges of running news that go against the guideline and the law. The commission can also serve the notice on its own volition. It will investigate the allegation and give the accused a chance for self-defence. It will then forward its recommendations to the government. Apart from that, the commission will take advice from the stakeholders for implementation of and amendments to the guideline. It will also make a set of rules for the government to follow. Minister Inu declined comment when asked if there had been any changes when finalising the online media guideline draft. He has previously said that online mass media would be institutionalised to ensure protection of the journalists and freedom of liberal thoughts. “That is why the guideline is being prepared.” Information Ministry sources say although there is the 1973 Press and Publication Act, there is no guideline for the online media. The government's 2012 draft was censured. A draft was finalised recently as per recommendations of a committee of online news media editors and opinions of stakeholders, the information minister said. Ministry sources say the government has already deployed three intelligence agencies to investigate before giving licences to online news media. The ministry will issue licence after the investigation ends.

What's in the policy?

The draft speaks of preserving the history of the Liberation War when publicising, publishing and broadcasting the draft's information or data. It also directs running news that fully respects all religions. Local dialects can be used in the news but not for making fun. Apart from running reports on regional cultures, the news media will also have to present the culture of ethnic minorities. Incoherent, misleading and false information or data cannot be used in news published or run by online media. The media has to run all government-endorsed important national programmes and information. These include addresses by the head of the state, emergency weather report, health bulletin, government press notes, and government-approved important national programmes. In order to uphold Bangla as the state language, the standard of spelling or pronunciation cannot be relaxed in reading, publishing or broadcasting the news. Online media houses have to follow the wage board rules and pay their employees through banks. All houses must have tax identification numbers. Advertisements run or published in the online media must not use politicians, foreign diplomats and national heroes for product promotion or services. But advertisements aimed at raising awareness and social reform can include renowned citizens with their permission. Language, scene or direction of the advertisements – published, publicised or broadcast – must not be hurt religious or political feelings. But pictures or images that do not offend the religion can be published or showcased. All information and data that violate The Censorship of Films Act 1963, the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006, copyright, trademarks, patents design, Geographical Indication Act and other laws cannot be published.