Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu yesterday told the parliament that the public and private media were broadcasting news neutrally and with freedom.
“The government does not interfere in the publishing of any news in the newspapers as it is published under rules and regulation of declaration,” the minister said while answering a question of Awami League lawmaker Mustafizur Rahman.
The minister said the existing government was media friendly and it believed in the freedom of media. He said 1,187 print media and 75 online newspapers were currently publishing in the country.
In reply to a question of independent lawmaker Shapan Bhattacharjee, Inu said the highest circulated newspaper in the country was Bangladesh Protidin with a circulation of 553,150.
Among the English dailies, the daily star ranked highest with 41,150 circulation. According to the information minister the circulation of Dhaka Tribune was 23,100.
In another reply, the minister said Bangladesh Television (BTV) did not broadcast for commercial purposes. He further said there was no policy for online media currently but the government had drafted a policy which is being reviewed.
