A parliamentary standing committee yesterday asked the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar not to overplay Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in observance of the mourning month of August and the National Mourning Day on August 15.
The parliamentary body on information ministry also formed a five-member sub-committee to investigate the alleged widespread irregularities, corruption and mismanagement in Film Development Corporation (FDC) and irregularities in the business of cable TV service providers.
Headed by Awami League (AL) lawmaker Reza Ali, the sub-committee was asked to submit its report before the main committee within next three months.
“We have asked the BTV and Bangladesh Betar authorities not to overstress Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in their programmes while observing the mourning month of August as well as August 15,” Obaidul Quader, chairman of the committee, told The Daily Star after the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
“The committee also asked BTV and Radio Bangladesh not to undermine Bangabandhu by overplaying programmes on him,” said Quader, also a newly elected AL presidium member.
“Bangabandhu is established in the heart of the nation as well as in the heart of the people and will remain alive in the history of Bangladesh. BTV and Bangladesh Betar do not need to play any role afresh to establish him (Bangabandhu),” Quader said.
The parliamentary watchdog body also asked the two state-run media to broadcast standard programmes on August 15.
About formation of the sub-committee, Quader said, there are lots of allegations of corruption, irregularities and mismanagement in FDC for long. Besides, there are lots of problems and obscurities in FDC for which it could not help flourish the country's film industry, he said adding, “The Film Development Corporation is running with backward mindset and equipment."
The four other members of the committee are Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque and AL lawmakers Sarah Begum Kabari, Shahin Monowara Haq and Sukumar Ranjan Ghosh.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, BM Mozammel Haq, Anisul Islam Mondal, among others, were present at the meeting.