It's black law to control media: BNP
Terming the national broadcast policy a “heinous, black law”, the BNP yesterday said the government had formulated the policy in a bid to control and repress the media.
“Although its name is broadcast policy, it's rather a policy to control and suppress broadcast media in terms of their objectivity and effectiveness,” BNP standing committee member Mayeen Khan told a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
The briefing was organised to give the BNP's formal reaction to the much-talked about broadcast policy. The cabinet on Monday endorsed the policy, keeping enormous scope for the government to misuse the policy in the name of maintaining standard of news and other programmes in the electronic media.
Media professionals and experts have opposed any policy that might compromise the independence of the mass media.
Mayeen blasted the government for framing the policy and demanded an immediate scrapping of it.
Pointing to the formation of a search committee by the information ministry which would set up the broadcast commission as per a provision of the policy, the BNP leader said this meant that the commission would be totally as subservient to the government and also as per its wish.
“The more dreadful fact is that the information ministry will exercise the power of the commission until it is formed. It implies that all the private television channels are going to be under the full control of the government,” he added.
The policy draft initially had a provision of banning live telecast of any political programme or press conference, but the provision has been dropped in the final draft, mentioned Mayeen.
The Awami League in 1973 had curbed journalists' freedom by enacting the press and publications act. The party has also harassed many newsmen under the Special Powers Act, 1974, complained the former information minister.
Responding to a query by journalists, Mayeen said the BNP would abolish the policy if voted to power.
Senior party leaders MK Anwar, Abdullah Al Noman and the BNP chief's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan were present, among others.
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