The Cabinet today (on 19 June 2017, Monday) approved the draft of “The National Online Mass Media Policy, 2017” that suggested constitution of a National Broadcast Commission to facilitate operations of online mass media in an organized manner. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the weekly meeting, held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban as it gave the approval to the proposed policy containing a detailed guideline for operating online versions of mainstream media including radio, TV and newspaper.
“The draft policy has been formulated so that the online mass media of the country could work in a well organized manner upholding the national history and the spirit of the War of Liberation,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told a media briefing after the meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat later. Alam said the draft policy suggested mandatory registration of the country’s every single mass medium with the proposed National Broadcast Commission.
He, however, said, the online media which by now got them registered under the Press and Publications Act, 1973 would not require re-registration with the National Broadcast Commission, to be empowered with authority to frame a guideline for issuing licenses to the broadcasters. “But, the concerned online media entities will have to inform the Commission about their earlier registration,” he said.
Alam said the policy outlined a detailed guideline for smooth running of the online mass media like operating from radio, TV, newspapers and so on.
The top executive in the public service said the government, in consultation with the commission, would formulate rules of procedures later for smooth application of the Act, while the commission would be empowered to frame a guideline for giving licenses to the broadcasters.
Besides, the commission would make recommendations to the government for giving license to television, radio, internet TV or other digital broadcast stations and would issue license upon the government’s approval. As per the draft policy, the commission would receive complaints from the aggrieved persons over any content of online mass media.
Alam said, the Commission could issue “show cause” notices, initiate investigation, recommend to the government for further proceedings against broadcasters if they broadcast something in violation of the National Broadcast Policy-2014. On its own, the commission would be able to take action against online broadcasters if it appears that they have violated the code of conduct and breached discipline, he said.
The commission would also hold the power to take punitive actions against an online broadcaster if any content of broadcast poses a threat to security, territorial integrity, peace, public order and unity of the country. The commission could also take actions against the broadcasters for disseminating vulgar, false and malicious stuff and contents against the spirit of the War of Liberation and distorts national history and heritage.