The Editors’ Council in a statement criticised the new National Broadcast Policy saying the government wants to control the media with it.The Council issued the statement on Wednesday, signed by its President and Daily Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar.”The Editors’ Council is concerned that freedom of expression and the free flow of information will be compromised by the recently announced National Broadcast Policy and various steps taken by the government,” the statement said.The Constitution has ensured the freedom of media and rights of the people. The Right to Information Act also paved the way to free flow of information. But some recent steps by the government are contradictory to the existing Act. This will hinder the democratic process of the country as well as harm the freedom of media.The Council also urged the government to follow the international rules to ensure press freedom. If the government takes such move the Council will appreciate it.The Council also expressed concern over the raid conducted in the Daily Inqilab, harassment and arrest of journalists by the law enforcing agencies. The Council issued the statement after a meeting of it held at the office of the Daily Star in the city.Members of the Council Mahfuz Anam, Reazuddin Ahmed, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury Motiur Rahman, Tasmima Hossain, Sheymol Dutta, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Khandoker Moniruzzman, Moazzem Hossain, Emdadul Haque Milon, Noeem Nizam, Saiful Alam, Mozammel Hossain, Shahjahan Sardar, Amir Hossain, Dewan Hanif Mahmud, M Shamsur Rahman, among others, were present at the meeting.
