Action for airing local ad on foreign TV channels: Minister
BSS, Dhaka
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the government would take action against the cable operators involved in airing local advertisements on foreign television channels. Time limit to stop such telecasting has been over yesterday. So, the ministry has asked the deputy commissioners to conduct mobile courts against the cable operators if they break the law, he said at a press conference in his office.
Dr Hasan said the ministry has issued notice several times to stop airing local advertisements in foreign television channels and to keep the Bangladeshi channels in the first segment of the cable serial according to the date of their commissioning. The information minister said district administrations will conduct mobile court against the cable operators from now for the better interest of the Bangladeshi media.
The mobile courts can fine the cable operators from Taka 50,000 to two lakh 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.
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 ministrys vetting. After vetting, the draft will be sent to the cabinet, the minister said.
