Newspaper websites not permitted to publish videos: Info Minister

In their declaration, the newspapers were not given permission to hold talk-shows and show videos on their websites, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said yesterday.

Streaming news through IPTVs also goes against the government's policy, he added.

"We will take action against them very soon," said the minister after meeting the leaders of the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) at the Secretariat, according to a press release.

In the meeting, the association demanded enforcement of law to stop such activities by the IPTVs and daily newspapers' websites.

About the decision of imposing a special tax on the production and broadcast of adverts with foreign artists, Hasan said, "We've made the decision to save both the industry and the artists. It will be implemented from July. We've given a letter in this regard."

At the meeting, ATCO's Senior Vice President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and the directors discussed clean feed and quick initiation of TRP.

Asked about the case filed against Fazle Elahi, a journalist in Rangamati, under the Digital Security Act, Hasan said, "Many journalists have filed cases under the act at different times. I don't know about this particular case. But an individual filed the case and the accused journalist got bail.

"One must face trial for a crime. But no one, including journalists, should be harassed. We will look into the matter."

Hasan said Awami League leader Mujibur Rahman only owns a five percent share of BM Container Depot, where a devastating fire had killed 45 in Sitakunda.

Saying that he is the owner of the whole depot is a major mistake and not appropriate, he said.