Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has alleged that the national broadcast policy is contradictory to the constitution, human rights and rights to information.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman made the remark in a press conference at a city hotel on Thursday morning.
In the briefing, human rights activist Sultana Kamal said the aim of the policy is to control the media.
“With the policy, the government indicates that it has no confidence in people,” she said.
“The government has said the act was formulated to make mass media accountable through elevating the fundamental rights and personal freedom of citizens, however, we think the policy clearly aimed to control freedom of the media,” she said.
She also questioned the governments hurriedness in formulating the policy saying: “The policy was not formulated following regular processes as the policy was not discussed in the parliament. The government’s hurry for formulating the policy makes fears.”
The Cabinet, on Aug 4, approved the broadcast policy prohibiting television and radio from broadcasting any news that may taint the image of the country’s law enforcement agencies and the armed forces which draws widespread criticism from the stakeholders.
The organisation has recommended the government to formulate an independent broadcasting commission which will implement the policy.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
