More laws to control media will harm journalism
The government has taken an initiative to enact five laws alongside the existing law regarding the mass media. But attempts to control the mass media with so many laws will harm journalism, newspaper owners said.
Leaders of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (Noab) met Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday and expressed these concerns.
Quader, also the general secretary of ruling Awami League, was handed Noab's written commentary on the five draft laws regarding the mass media. Noab leaders requested that all the stakeholders are consulted before the laws are finalised.
The Digital Security Act and different other existing laws concerned are impediments to independent journalism and freedom of speech, the association leaders said.
AK Azad, Noab president and managing director of Times Media Limited; ASM Shahidullah Khan, Noab vice-president and publisher of New Age; Matiur Rahman, editor and publisher of Prothom Alo; Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star; Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Noab treasurer and editor-in-chief of Manab Zamin; Tarik Sujat, managing director of Bhorer Kagoj; Shamsul Huq Zahid, editor of The Financial Express; and Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor and publisher of Bonik Barta attended the meeting.
AK Azad said newspaper publishing is facing two major crises. The price of paper saw a two- to three-fold increase. Publishing is significantly more expensive now. On top of it, the VAT and tax are causing major losses to the newspapers.
Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman said the government initiative to enact five new laws alongside the existing ones concerning the mass media will raise the degree of oppression on journalists.
The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said the government enacts different laws at different times. It is time to think about whether the government is benefitting from these laws.
"The proposed Press Council Act gives the chairman of the press council so much power that the chairman can fine a newspaper or a news agency up to Tk 10 lakh or get the individuals concerned arrested for publishing a news or photo," he said. It is a terrible law."
New Age Publisher Shahidullah Khan said, "The mass media wants to be on good terms with the government. We shall take corrective measures if anyone points out any errors."
Manab Zamin Editor-in-chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said, "Political problems should be resolved through politics and as an experienced politician, Obaidul Quader has expertise in this regard."
Tarik Sujat, managing director of Bhorer Kagoj, said, "The pro-liberation Awami League government is in power. We have a lot of expectations from this government."
Obaidul Quader said, "The Awami League does not want any favour from the newspapers. We only want our due recognition. We are not against the newspapers… We do not want any animosity between us."
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