Stop live broadcast of anti-terror drive
Govt asks television channels
Special correspondent
The government has asked the television channels not to go for live broadcast of law enforcers drives against militants or during terror attacks. The channels have also been asked to stop live broadcast of rescue operations during natural disasters or accidents. Any recovery or rescue operations during natural disasters or accidents, or law enforcing agencies operations against terrorists and militants are hampered if such activities are broadcast live, said an order issued by the information ministry on Tuesday.
The government, through the order, requested the authorities of all television channels not to air any such events live. Talking to The Independent Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu said as such live broadcasts hamper law enforcers drives against militants and terrorists and rescue operations during natural disasters and calamities, the government has made the request.
The government has no intention to curb the freedom of media, he affirmed.
Several television channels faced criticisms by the government high-up, including the prime minister, for broadcasting the police action live from Gulshan in the capital when a caf came under terrorist attack in the area on July 1. Many government officials, on several occasions, hinted that such live broadcast by different television channels hampered the operation of the joint forces during the Gulshan caf attack. Against this backdrop, the information ministry issued the order discouraging the television channels to refrain from live broadcasting of sensitive events that may hamper rescue or security drives.
