Steps taken to stop airing ads on foreign TV channels
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the government has already taken necessary initiative to stop broadcasting local advertisements on foreign television channels.
“Cable operators have been asked to stop airing local advertisements using downlinks… As per law, advertisements would not be aired on foreign channels,” he said.
Mahmud was speaking at a meeting with members of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) in the conference room of the information ministry.
ATCO President and Managing Director of Maasranga Television Anjan Chowdhury, Journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Channel 24 AK Azad, Ekattor Television CEO Mozammel Babu and other ATCO members were present at the meeting.
The minister said they have served notice to two organisations in this regard and “in reply, they sought 15 days to inform us in detail”.
All cable operators must abide by law to run their business, he said, adding that legal actions will be taken if they (cable operators) violate the law. “We will not allow unlimited time to respond to the notice…,” he added.
Mahmud, also publicity and publication secretary of ruling Awami League, said the government has given around 44 licenses for private TV channels. Of those, around 33 channels are now running, he added.
There are legal restrictions in some countries including the UK, India and Pakistan as well as in European continent on airing foreign advertisements, he said. If any television or cable operator in the UK airs foreign advisement, it has to pay taxes and fulfill conditions of their laws, the minister added.
Mahmud said media is the fourth pillar of a state as it plays a vital role in many crucial issues. He asked the authorities of private television channels to be more sincere to run their channels for protecting the country's interest.
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