Call to enact law for cable operators, pvt TV channels

Speakers at a seminar yesterday called for enacting laws to regulate cable operators and private television channels.

There must be a control to ensure accountability of the cable operators and private TV channels by preserving our own culture and tradition, they said.

The seminar on " Private Television and Cable Operators Regulatory and Management Guidelines", was organised by the Ministry of Information and National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCO).

Information Minister Tariqul Islam attended the discussion as chief guest.

Presided over by Nazmul Alam Siddiqui, information secretary, the seminar was moderated by Jai Jai Din Editor Shafiq Rehman.

"Our aim is not to impose control over the satellite culture. Rather we want to ensure a favourable environment where private television and satellite channels can run smoothly" Tariqul Islam said.

He said a time-befitting law would be enacted for the management of private televisions and cable operators keeping in view the expectations of the viewers and national interests in mind.

"Viewers are our main concern and everything will be set considering their religious, moral, social and cultural values" the minister said adding "We are committed to respect the needs of viewers."

At the same time we shall have to remain alert to stop infiltration of alien dirty culture in the name of open sky culture, he added.

Columnist Mahbub Hossain Khan and Barrister Abdur Razzaq presented two papers suggesting guidelines for private channels and cable operators.

Journalists, media experts, businessmen and senior officials of different ministries took part in the discussion.

AH Mofazzal Karim said a national broadcasting authority is to be set up with full autonomy to help flourish our own culture.

"Our own glorious culture is at stake due to aggression by the vulgarism of foreign culture", he added.

Forhad Hossain, a representative of Nationwide Communications Limited (NCL), said there should not be any monopoly in the cable business in the country.

SM Anwar Parvez, president of Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), called for enactment of necessary laws to bring stability in the cable business.

Mir Hussain Akhter, president of Bangladesh Satellite Cable Network Owners Association (BSCNOA), suggested that there should be a representative board for the management of pay-channel and free to air channel.

He said the number pay-channels should be reduced as these are expensive while some free-to-air channels should be censured for screening obscene programmes.

There are 30 pay-channels and 100 free-to-air channels operating in the country, he added.

Saiful Bari, chief advisor of ATN Bangla, Faridur Reza Sagor, managing director of Channel-I, Amanullah Kabir, managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mustafizur Rahman, director general of Bangladesh Television and AHM Shamsul Islam, director general of Bangladesh Betar also spoke.