BD Prime Minister laid importance on broadcasting policy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid importance on a broadcasting policy to check transmission of dirty programmes detrimental to society. As well, she underlined the importance of a policy for newspapers and online media which will embody their sense of responsibility toward society, family and country. The Prime Minister was addressing the officials of the Ministry of Information during a visit to the ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat here today. Sheikh Hasina said every country has a broadcasting policy. “We also need a policy for electronic media, television and radio so that none can broadcast anything dirty and harmful to society.”

About the policy on newspapers, she said, “We don’t want to control the press. We expect that the press will be an auxiliary force of society, family and country.” “The press must have liberty, but, side by side good sense should prevail on everybody for the sake of society while disseminating news and views,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the online media is open and flourishing fast. But we should be careful about using the media for the real benefit of society. So, there should be measures to protect the society, children and youths from its assault, she said. Information Minister Hasanul Hoq Inu also spoke on the occasion. PM’s Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, PMO Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, senior officials of the ministry and chiefs of different departments under the ministry were present.

The Prime Minister said her government believes in free flow of information and has taken pragmatic steps to ensure free flow of information and freedom of thoughts and expressions. In spite of that, she said, “We, as an incumbent party, are always criticized by a section of people. However, these criticisms helped us correct ourselves, as we can judge what is right and what is wrong, she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government believes in transparency and accountability. It’s crucial for establishing the good governance. The government is very much conscious about this, she said. The Prime Minister said her government always tried to bring change in the traditional activities of the Ministry of Information concentrated in fixed areas.

Terming the present time as an age of science, technology and digitalization, she said the country and the government will have to proceed keeping pace with the time. The Information Ministry can play a big role in this regard, she said. Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had initiated measures for making the Information Ministry befitting to an independent country.

But, after the killing of Bangabandhu, the media was used as a tool of propaganda of the military dictators. The illegal power grabbers never allowed the media to work freely but used it as a machine to cling to power by spreading falsehood and misguiding people, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said so after taking office in 1996 her government opened up the electronic media for private sector though it was a very difficult task at that time.

In this regard, she pointed out the popular demand and subsequent decision of the government to give autonomy to the state run television, saying, finally it could not be possible as government officials opposed the move in fear of losing their jobs.

“Instead, we opened up the television for private sector with an objective to flourish the sector,” she said.

The Prime Minister said the private television channels now became a big area of employment, where thousands of youths, poets, artistes, writers, litterateurs, journalists, technicians and engineers have found their jobs.

Television broadcasting have undergone a revolutionary change after privatization of the television channel, she said, adding, a total of 31 television channels are now in broadcast.

In this regard, the Prime Minister mentioned the introduction of a dedicated channel for the parliament and said the next BNP government closed the transmission.

After coming to power in 2009, she said, the Awami League led government gave permission for a dedicated channel for Jatiya Sangsad following the example of other democratic countries.

The live transmission of parliament proceedings in the Sangsad television not only helped the people to directly hear the speeches of their elected representatives, but also contributed largely to correct the behaviour of some unruly members in the House, she said. “Throwing and destroying files and documents, destruction of chairs, tables and microphones and speaking in abusive language, rebuking the Speaker in filthy language in the parliament were largely controlled because of live transmission of the parliament proceedings,” she said.Sheikh Hasina said many people enjoy the Sangsad television and its contributing to flourish democracy and infuse democratic spirit into people.Stressing the need for producing good television programmes, she said, the programmes should be enjoyable to everybody in a family. We have to be careful so that no programme or information can cause any harm to society or individuals.

The Prime Minister said about 826 newspapers are now publishing in the country including 357 from Dhaka, in addition to many weeklies, monthly and periodicals.She lamented that many newspapers, when they have no sensitive news, manufacture and publish many sugarcoated news lacking authentic source or information and truth at all. It is also creating troubles in society, she said.

Sheikh Hasina urged for giving importance to radio as this media has many audience across the country.

She also underlined the importance of making films enjoyable to common people based on truth and highlighting our nations history, culture, heritage, valor and dedication.

She also laid importance on digitalization of the cinema halls outside Dhaka to facilitate people enjoying films as one of sources of limited recreation for rural people.

Pointing out the completed and ongoing projects under the ministry of information, she said, the PIB Bhaban has already been completed while steps were taken for construction of BSS building.

She said a trust fund has been constituted for journalists for their welfare and the act in this regard is now under process. She said the government has undertaken a plan for allocation of flats among the poets, journalists, artistes, writers, litterateurs and professionals on higher purchase basis.

Laying importance on making more films and programmes based on history of independence, she said we have to take steps to project our sacrifice and allow the next generations one after another to know the history.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was born under the leadership of Bangabandhu after a long struggle of 24 years to stand with a dignified position in the world comity, making it free from poverty and hunger.

“The Father of the Nation has given us that dream andideology. It’s our responsibility to materialize his dream,” shesaid adding our only goal is to reach the benefit of the independence to every house.