Broadcast policy is a control mechanism, says TIB

The National Broadcast Policy 2014 is on the whole a control mechanism of the government, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). “We have enough reasons to be concerned over the policy. The media cannot operate like this. The policy ensures the government’s control on the media,” said its Trustee Board Chairperson Sultana Kamal. The Berlin-based corruption watchdog’s Bangladesh office organised a media briefing on Thursday at a city hotel to inform the public of its stance on the newly formed policy. According to Sultana Kamal, the policy, which came into effect on Aug 8 through a gazette notification, has put the media at ‘risk’. “This policy contradicts the Constitution, the Right to Information Act, the values of democracy and human rights,” the former caretaker government adviser told the briefing. The Cabinet, on Aug 4, approved the broadcast policy, which prohibits television and radio from broadcasting any news that may ‘taint’ the image of the country’s law keepers and the armed forces. The BNP denounced the government move saying it was a ploy to ‘cage’ Bangladesh’s media under the guise of ‘promoting responsibility and accountability’. The government, however, maintains that it has been designed not to ‘gag’ the media, rather for the ‘welfare’ of it. “The Right to Information Act does not allow getting information on the armed forces, while this policy has embargoed running news on them. “This will ensure a culture of impunity by keeping them above the law. They will then involve in various types of crimes, including corruption and irregularities,” said the TIB Trustee Board chairperson. According to her, whoever comes to power confuses the concept of state with the one of government. “They take a criticism against the government as something against the state.” The policy restricts airing any programme that ridicules national ideals and objectives, undermines the people, and tarnishes the solidarity of Bangladesh as an independent country. Referring to this, Kamal said: “Of course we will not say anything which goes against the nation. But, saying anything against someone belonging to the government means it’s against the state ( as per the policy). That’s why we are anxious as some people will get the opportunity to be exempted from the law.” … bdnews24.com