1. The Proposed
Restrictions on
Bangladeshi Television
Md. Mahbubul Haque Osmani
Lecturer, MSJ, ULAB

2.  Under the BNP regime (2001-2006),
the Bangladesh Telecommunication
Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
allocated broadcasting frequency to
ten TV channels, of which six were
shut down later by the AL-led
government (2008-2013).

3.  After being in
operation for two
years, on
August 29, 2002,
ETV was shut down
by the then ruling
party BNP
 Again, its official
transmission started
29 March 2007

4.  During last
caretaker
government, on
September 6,
2007, BTRC
officially shut down
transmission of the
channel CSB
 Broadcasting news
that goes against
that interim govt.

5.  Channel 1 stopped
on
April 27, 2010
 Broadcasting news
that goes against the
ruling Awami League
government.
 Founder Giasuddin Al
Mamun is known as a
close associate of
BNP chief Khaleda
Zia's son Tarique

6.  Shut down on
7 may 2013
 Airing provocative
program to whip up
public sentiment
(Hefazot Islam).
 A concern of Diganta
Media Corporation,
owned by Jamaat-e-
Islami leader Mir
Quasem Ali, a war
crimes suspect now on
the run.

7.  Shut down on
7 may 2013
 Airing provocative
program to whip up
public sentiment
(Hefazot Islam).
 Founder late
Sayeed Eskander,
younger brother of
the BNP
Chairperson

8. On 6 August the government
published a gazette on the
National Broadcast Policy-
2014

10.  Misinformation or distorted truth is strictly
prohibited in discussion or talk shows
 Military, civil and public information that
may compromise state security can't be
broadcast;
 Anything demeaning armed forces, law
enforcement agencies and government
officials who can punish people for
criminal offenses can't be broadcast;

11.  Addresses of the head of the
government and the state, health
and weather messages must be
broadcast properly
 Mutiny, chaos, violent incidents
which may affect public interests
can't be aired

12.  Dead bodies of murders,
accidents and suicides can't be
broadcast;
 Ban on broadcasting anything
that may hamper friendly
relations with foreign countries;
 Spirit of Liberation War must be
upheld in news and programs

13.  Respect should be shown to all
religious sentiments;
 Liberation War and Language
Movement can't be included in
commercial advertisement;
 Mandatory screening of
advertisement about nutrient
values of food and beverages.

14.  Criticism started after the
cabinet's approval of the Policy
 Stakeholders, experts on talk
shows and general public in the
social media are talking about
the repressive intentions hidden
in the clauses of the policy.

15. Not be able to know:
- the role of RAB in the seven
murder case at Narayanganj
(anything demeaning to the
armed forces can't be
broadcast)

17. The tragic incident like BDR
mutiny or Hefazate Islam clash
would not be aired at all
(mutiny, chaos, violent
incidents which may affect
public interests can't be
aired)

21. The border killing by BSF,
probably, would not be
reported (ban on
broadcasting anything that
may hamper friendly
relations with foreign
countries)

23.  Corruptions or violating human
rights by police would not be aired
(Can’t broadcast which causes
mockery or derogatory remarks
against a military or law
enforcing officer, mockery of
government officials who works
against crime)

26.  Undefined licensing policy:
- political inclination with the
government is the only criterion
for getting license
 The policy could not provide a
clear guideline in licensing policy

27.  Competitive advertising market
has compelled broadcast hours to
be cheaper.
 The policy said nothing about the
commercial/program ratio in the
prime time and non-prime time
hours.

28.  It seems the government is
concerned more about its own
security, and wants a docile
media community self-censoring
themselves and less bothered
about freedom of expression.