Action soon against airing Bangladeshi TVCs in foreign channels: Hasan

Information minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday warned that actions would be taken from April 1 if any cable operator broadcast Bangladeshi advertisements on foreign channels.
‘As per the law, broadcasting Bangladeshi advertisements on foreign channels is illegal and a punishable offence,’ he told at a roundtable meeting titled ‘Private Televisions are in Crisis’ organised by the Broadcast Journalists’ Centre at an auditorium of Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.
Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of ruling Awami League, said that the incomes of the private television channels would increase by Tk 300 to 500 crore if the related law was followed properly.
About the current problems at the private TV channels, the minister said, ‘Let us work together to save the industry.’
Hasan said that a big revolution had taken place in Bangladesh’s media sector during the Awami League government under the dynamic leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. 
‘Sheikh Hasina gave the first private television license after assuming power in 1996. There are around 30 private TV channels now while 44 channels have obtained licenses,’ he added.
The minister said that while the industry had flourished, some problems had arisen, including the fall in advertisements. 
The industry needed combined efforts to sustain, he added.
He said that the cable operators could play a vital role in addressing the problems and they would have to stop the Bangladeshi advertisements from being aired on foreign channels. 
‘The government has already issued notices three times in this regard. Another notice will be given on Sunday,’ he said. 
‘Actions would be taken from April 1 if they don’t stop broadcasting the advertisements. I hope that they will cooperate,’ the minister added.
He said, ‘I have been working for the welfare of the journalists since I took charge of the ministry. I need support from all stakeholders. It’s our responsibility to protect the journalists as they are the mirrors of society.’
Hasan urged the journalists not to broadcast any incident that would adversely affect children and their mind.
DBC TV chairperson Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former chief information commissioner Professor Golam Rahman, News 24 managing director AK Azad, Bengal Communications executive director Absar Khayer Mithu and Sky Entertainment network chief executive officer Nurul Alam, among others, addressed the meeting with BJC president Rezwanul Haque Raja in the chair.
Gazi TV chief editor Syed Ishtiaq Reza presented the keynote paper while BJC secretary general Shakil Ahmed conducted the programme.
Source: http://www.newagebd.net

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