The council of ministers led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday approved the draft of National Broadcast Policy that proposes restrictions on some issues which key players of the electronic media industry think may hamper their independence.
The policy – the first in the country – will come into effect after a gazette notification is published within 48 hours, the information minister said.
The policy would help the government enact the National Broadcast Act and the Independent Broadcast Commission Act.
It has, however, created confusion among those involved with the broadcast media industry since the issues of restriction have not been elaborated.
The regular cabinet meeting chaired by the premier at the secretariat cleared the policy with some observations. The cabinet earlier sent it back, asking the policy formulation committee to include its observations.
A 15-strong committee comprising nine media persons and academics, and six bureaucrats prepared the policy.
As per the proposed policy, strict restrictions would be imposed on violation of privacy of individuals, castigating or insinuating members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, and discussing deceptive or wrong information in any talk show.
It also bars mocking any ideology or insulting citizens, instigating militancy or violence or spreading hatred, airing incidents of insurgency, destruction or reprisal, hampering state security, hurting religious sentiment or instigating conflict between religious communities, impeding relations with friendly countries and inspiring corruption.
The policy suggests that the broadcast media authorities give equal scopes to both views for discussions in the talk shows.
The proposed Independent Broadcast Commission will function as a regulatory body which will have semi-judicial authority. The interested entrepreneurs would be issued licences considering recommendation of the commission.
It would formulate a code of guidance or programme code for the broadcasting entities and the regulatory authority comprising four specific criteria into the code. The commission will also revise the policy after an in-depth scrutiny.
Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu claimed that the restrictions had been proposed in line with the country’s constitution and declarations of the media.
“Until the new laws are enacted, the ministry will regulate the media in line with the existing laws and regulations. The laws will be enacted shortly after issuing gazette notification. The explanations of the issues will be given in detail in the new laws or regulations,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
Inu said the Information Ministry would publish a gazette notification within 48 hours. The observations of the cabinet would be included in the policy to publish the gazette.
“The ‘National Broadcast Act’ and ‘Independent Broadcast Commission Act’ will be enacted to enforce the policy and monitor the activities of the state-run and the private television channels and radio stations of the country. The ministry will start preparing the draft Acts shortly.”
A committee would be formed to prepare the laws. After scrutiny, the laws would be placed in cabinet and then parliament for passage.
He said the commission would be formed in view of the demands of the media personnel. “We have done it. The commission will be established as soon as the new Acts are enacted.”
The new policy would not hamper the media’s independence, he said. “It will ensure accountability and protect the interests of the owners, employees, people and the government. It has been prepared following article 39 of the constitution. No provision was included in the policy to interrupt media’s independence.”
Standards for programmes and advertisements would be determined following the interests of the consumers. “The values of Liberation War, Language Movement and the rights of women and children will also be protected by the policy,” the minister said.
Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told journalists: “The policy has been prepared to ensure free flow of information and responsibility of the media. It will strengthen, accelerate and improve standard of the media and ensure healthy competition.”
Asked if the policy would control or interrupt the independence of media, Channel i Director and Head of News Shykh Seraj said: “We do not believe that the government will interrupt flourishing of the media which we have achieved during the tenures of democratic governments.
“We do not want a policy of rules, we want a policy of regulations.”
He, however, expressed concerns regarding the restrictions, particularly on violating privacy of individuals and the clause on defence forces and other law enforcement agencies.
“The media must publish or broadcast reports against those persons who commit corruption. It is the main job a journalist. It will defame the person. But how can a reporter avoid such reports? They must do it. Such restriction should not be kept in the policy,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“So far I know, no media deliberately criticises or insinuates the members of the defence forces or the law enforcement agencies. But, it must be reported when anyone is found to be involved in any offence,” he added.
About the commission, he said: “We urged the government to form an Independent Broadcast Commission which will work as our shield. We wanted the commission to regulate the broadcast media and issue licenses.” He said the commission should be established as soon as possible incorporating media experts.
“It must be decided first who are going to be the chairman and members of the commission. They must have expertise in the media sector.
Otherwise, the initiative of the government will not bring any result,” he said.
Welcoming the policy, President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul told the Dhaka Tribune: “There are some anomalies in the policy. We hope that the government will address the issues during its implementation.”
Also the chief executive of Boishakhi Television, Bulbul said: “The government must fix a minimum standard for entrepreneurs to acquire a licence.”
He also questioned some provisions regarding programmes and advertisements terming those unacceptable and demanded that those be changed.
Bulbul demanded that the government ensure job security of the employees and journalists, formulation of minimum wages board for electronic media and protection of the owners like the print media.
