Dhaka, Oct 15 – The cabinet has endorsed a new draft of the broadcast law that will facilitate the constitution of a commission to oversee radio, television and online news outlets and ensure they play by the rules. The draft law has proposed a maximum three-year prison term or up to Tk 5 million fines or both for the broadcast authorities if they present and publicise ‘misleading and untrue’ information in talk shows, or publish anything against the Liberation War ideals and spirit, and the fundamental principles of the state.
And if someone runs broadcast operations even after being declared ineligible to get a broadcast licence, the punishment is proposed up to seven years’ imprisonment or Tk 50 million fines or both.
The draft of the ‘Broadcast Bill 2018’ was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Secretariat on Monday.
“The new law was drafted after discussions with those affected by it,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said at a briefing after the meeting.
The law will clear the path for formation of a seven-strong commission that would be appointed through recommendations by a search committee.
The commission will give broadcast licences and will be the sole authority on the registration of online media outlets, the cabinet secretary said.
The new law provides details regarding the appointments of the commissioners, qualifications necessary, the length of their terms, the conditions for their resignation or removal, their ranks and remuneration, he said. – Agency
