A writ petition challenging the legality of the newly enacted broadcast policy has been filed in the High Court. Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akhand filed the writ on Monday seeking a rule asking why the policy should not be declared illegal. The Cabinet and information secretaries have been made defendants in the petition. The BNP and some journalists have lambasted the new set of rules for radio and television approved by Cabinet on Aug 4. Transparency Intentional Bangladesh (TIB) said the government was trying to control the media. But the government said the policy was to promote ‘accountability’, rather than stifle the media. The Information Ministry issued the gazette on Aug 8 prohibiting news that tarnishes the army and the country’s law keepers. It also warned television talk-shows not to air comments that are ‘confusing and misleading’. – bdnews24.com
