Registration must for news portals from next year: Hasan Mahmud

Registration for news portals will be mandatory from next year, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said today.

"Before publishing any newspaper, a declaration must be made, and it should be the same for news portals. They must get registered before starting their operation, that will help bring discipline in the sector," the minister said at a dialogue at the Secretariat today.

Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) arranged the dialogue.

The government is taking the initiative to stop news broadcasted from internet protocol televisions (IPTVs). "We'll soon take steps against those IPTVs which broadcast news," said Hasan.

"IPTV is a global reality. It's a new media and shouldn't be shut down entirely. But the mushrooming growth of these can't continue. So, we've also put up the registration process for IPTVs," the minister added.

NO RETRENCHMENT FOR MEDIA WORKERS WITHOUT NOTICE

Responding to a question, Hasan said the proposed media workers' law is now at the final stage.

"Once the law is passed in the parliament, electronic and online media workers will get legal protection. There'll be no retrenchment without any prior notice. There'll be no chance to say 'don't come to work from tomorrow'," he added.