The government has decided to take action through mobile courts from Monday against airing local advertisements in foreign television channels.
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud gave the information in a media briefing at the Secretariat on Monday, report bdnews24.com and BSS.
“The deadline to stop airing local advertisements on foreign television channels ended on Sunday. So, the ministry has asked the deputy commissioners to conduct mobile courts against the cable operators if they break the law,” he said.
The courts will also ensure that the cable operators do not air local advertisements on foreign television channels and broadcast the TV channels following the chronological order fixed by local TV channel owners, the minister said.
“We have sent out instructions to the deputy commissioners to run the mobile courts. The courts should take measures wherever the law is being defied. We have opted for this measure to protect the interests of the country, its democracy and uphold the law of the land,” the minister said.
The mobile courts can fine the cable operators from Taka 50,000 to 200,000 or hand down one to two year imprisonment or both for violation of the law, the minister warned seeking cooperation from all to execute the decision.
Bangladesh Cable Television Network Act 2006 has a provision to cancel licences and impose two-year jail and fine for broadcasting ads on foreign channels.
Distributors in different countries, including the UK and India, trim off the ads and run only programmes, during the broadcast by the foreign channels.
It never happened in Bangladesh.
Many local companies broadcast their advertisements on foreign channels pushing the local broadcasters into a tight corner as they lose ad revenue to foreign peers. Local television channel owners sought help from the government.
Replying a question, Dr Hasan said the 9th Wage Board Award for journalists and employees of the newspapers and news agencies will be announced very soon.
“Every step has been completed and the award will be declared soon,” he said.
There is no scope to include the electronic media in the wage board, the minister said, adding separate pay structure will be formulated for electronic media after framing the broadcasting policy.
“The broadcasting policy is now waiting law ministry’s vetting. After vetting, the draft will be sent to the cabinet,” the minister said.
