NOAB to oversee newspaper distribution

The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) will oversee newspaper distribution and bill collection in Dhaka until a stable environment returns to the Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers Multipurpose Cooperative Society or a new election is held.

The Bangladesh Newspaper Circulation Managers Association will manage the hawkers’ cooperative under NOAB’s supervision, according to a letter sent by NOAB President Matiur Rahman Chowdhury to the circulationmanagers’ association on August 9. In the letter, Chowdhury said the Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers Multipurpose Cooperative Society had witnessed clashes and gunfire at different times since August 5, 2024. He thanked the circulation managers’ association for taking necessary measures, following NOAB’s instructions, to keep newspaper distribution and bill collection in Dhaka running normally despite the situation.

Until further instructions, the circulation managers’ association will operate the cooperative from Samakal Press, the letter said. NOAB will also discuss the matter with the relevant ministries and take necessary administrative measures.

The letter warned that anyone disrupting newspaper distribution would face legal action.

It also said that if a newspaper buyer fails to pay bills on time, newspapers should be supplied to an alternative location instead.