Most local television channels are facing terrible problems in operation for several reasons, particularly as the cable operators are displaying foreign channels by down linking system that is hampering the TV market, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud has said.
Among other problems faced by TV channels to maintain markets include salary of the workforce and overall management with the shortest available advertisements of the country, he added.
The minister said promoting foreign advertisement while broadcasting foreign channels in Bangladesh is a legal offence and the government will take strong measures to stop it.
He came up with the remarks while speaking as the chief guest in the inauguration ceremony of the broadcasting conference organized by a newly formed platform 'Broadcast Journalist Center' at the auditorium of Dhaka University's Teachers-Teacher Center (TSC) on Friday.
Broadcast Journalists’ Center, a platform of broadcast journalists, held its first conference titled “Broadcast Industry: crisis of a Probability (Ekti Somvabonar Sankot)” and started its journey formally. The organization was launched to work for ensuring the security of journalists, managing the risks, increasing professional competency and to research and policy support for safe future of media workers.
While inaugurating the program, parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said she hoped that the platform will work effectively and would be able to implement its goals.
Assuring journalists of a separate policy regarding salary structure, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said he met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with the recommendation to form a cabinet body on the ninth wage board and she gave her approval in the first meeting.
“The ninth wage board instructed a separate policy for broadcast journalists’ salary. We will also work on salary structure of broadcast journalist after getting the approval of the policy,” he added.
Hasan also criticized the number of television channels in the country, saying: “There are now 44 licensed private TV channels in Bangladesh and more than 30 broadcasts, and more will come in future. This number is much higher than even West Bengal.”
"Mass media of Bangladesh has flourished in the hands of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Today the country's media is working with enough independence,” he added.
After the opening ceremony, three people were honoured for playing vital role in creating the Broadcast Journalists Center. News Editor of Maasranga Television Rezwanul haque was made the chairman of the new platform, while Ekattor Television's chief of news Shakil Ahmed was made member secretary.
Director General of Bangladesh Press Institute Shah Alamgir, Ekatore Television's Chief Executive Officer Mozammel Haque Babu, Editor of Bangladeh Ptotidin Naem Nizam, Former minister of cultural affairs Asaduzzaman Noor and Chief Editor of GTV Syed Ishtiaq Reza, among others were also present on the occasion.