UNB, Dhaka : The Information Ministry on Thursday issued the gazette notification on the National Broadcast Policy 2014 amid widespread criticisms by media professionals and some political parties. “The gazette notification on the broadcast policy approved by the cabinet was issued today,” Mir Akram U Ahammad, senior information officer at the ministry told UNB. The cabinet on Monday approved the ‘National Broadcast Policy 2014’ aiming to restrict the airing of programmes that satirise national ideals and objectives, undermine people, harm unity and solidarity of Bangladesh as an independent state. It is also aimed at prohibiting the broadcasting of programmes that might unleash separatism and unrest in the country as well as create hatred among different castes, creeds and religions. Many provisions of the policy, including ban on airing anything that will demean the armed forces or law enforcement agencies, drew huge criticisms from various quarters. Many media people, journalist professional bodies and some political parties, including BNP, demanded cancellation of the broadcast policy saying that it has been formulated to gag the media. BNP also termed the policy a ‘black rule’ alleging that the government with an evil motive is trying to establish its absolute control over the media by keeping a provision of punishment for the violation of the ‘dangerous black policy’. The Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) on Wednesday at its meeting demanded immediate formation of an independent broadcast commission to implement the broadcast policy for the electronic media. The ATCO urged the government not to implement the policy until the commission is formed with qualified people.
