Proposed Broadcast Act to protect journos’ jobs
Assures info minister
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the proposed Broadcast Act will give legal protection to broadcast journalists and electronic media workers.
Addressing a seminar at Bengal Multimedia Studio in city’s Tejgaon, he said the government is working to ensure job security of broadcast journalists and their other facilities.
Broadcast Media Center (BJC) and private television channel RTV jointly organised the seminar, marking World Television Day.
Hasan said along with the flourish of the industry, some problems have been created, including the fall in advertisement and its rates in electronic media. Now the industry needs combined efforts to sustain.
The minister said, “I’m working relentlessly for the betterment of journalists after taking charge of the ministry. But I need all-out support from all stakeholders. It’s our responsibility to give protection to the journalists as they are the mirror of society.”
Hasan said airing of Bangladeshi advertisements in foreign channels has been stopped. “Besides,, cable operators are now maintaining the serial of Bangladeshi TV channels as per their on air date. After keeping Bangladeshi channels, the cable operators are keeping foreign channels on the list,” he added.
APPROVAL TO BE NEEDED TO AIR DUBBED SHOWS
The minister said some television channels are airing foreign TV serials dubbed in Bangla, which is not acceptable. “So, the ministry has issued an order for TV channels to take the government’s approval to broadcast dubbed serials. A preview committee will also be formed soon to oversee the matter,” he added.
Terming television “a medium of nation building”, the minister urged private television owners to make programmes containing patriotism and human values for the new generation as they are the future of the country.
Senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, BJC trustee Mozammel Babu, BJC President Rezaun Haque Raza and senior journalist Naem Nizam, among others, spoke in the meeting. Founder Chairman of Television, Film and Photography Department of Dhaka University Dr AZM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan presented a keynote paper at the seminar.