placing local ads on downlinked foreign TVs

Notice served on 2 firms

The information ministry has served a notice on two Bangladeshi firms-- Nationwide Media Ltd and Jadoo Broadband Ltd-- for placing local advertisements or commercials on downlinked foreign TV channels. In the notice issued on November 22, the information ministry asked the firms to explain why the downlinked foreign channels that broadcast local advertisements to Bangladeshi viewers should not be banned for violating the rules of ‘Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006’.
“Your companies were given the permission to downlink several foreign channels as per the provisions of ‘Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006,” read the notice signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Akhtaruzzaman Talukdar.
“...As per media reports and concerns expressed by organisations concerned, we have come to know that you are putting Bangladeshi commercials on those downlinked TV channels. That is a direct violation of the act and punishable with jail sentence for two years,” the notice added.
The managing directors of Nationwide Media Ltd and Jadoo Broadband Ltd have been asked to respond to the notice. The Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006 prohibits broadcast of commercials for Bangladeshi viewers through downlinked foreign channels.
The act also stipulates that a company should be registered under the joint stock exchange to apply to the Ministry of Information seeking approval for downlinking any foreign television channel in Bangladesh. The channel can be downlinked after the ministry provides permission. The applicant company should either own the channel or have exclusive marketing distribution rights for the same
Contacted, Murtuza Reza, Secretary of the Information Ministry, told The Independent that they have sought explanation from the two companies on why they are are placing Bangladeshi commercials on foreign TV channels. “The ministry will take steps against the companies after getting their explanations,” Reza said. Earlier this month, Media Unity, comprising sixteen organisations, announced a 6-point charter of demands, including closure of downlinks of illegal foreign TV channels in Bangladesh, stopping broadcast of dubbed foreign serials on local channels and imposing a ban on advertisements on foreign channels. They had also set a November 30 deadline for the government and other authorities concerned to meet their demands. They announced to hold a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital on that day, otherwise.

placing local ads on downlinked foreign TVs

Notice served on 2 firms

The information ministry has served a notice on two Bangladeshi firms-- Nationwide Media Ltd and Jadoo Broadband Ltd-- for placing local advertisements or commercials on downlinked foreign TV channels. In the notice issued on November 22, the information ministry asked the firms to explain why the downlinked foreign channels that broadcast local advertisements to Bangladeshi viewers should not be banned for violating the rules of Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006. Your companies were given the permission to downlink several foreign channels as per the provisions of Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006, read the notice signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Akhtaruzzaman Talukdar. ...As per media reports and concerns expressed by organisations concerned, we have come to know that you are putting Bangladeshi commercials on those downlinked TV channels. That is a direct violation of the act and punishable with jail sentence for two years, the notice added. The managing directors of Nationwide Media Ltd and Jadoo Broadband Ltd have been asked to respond to the notice. The Cable Television Network Regulation Act 2006 prohibits broadcast of commercials for Bangladeshi viewers through downlinked foreign channels. The act also stipulates that a company should be registered under the joint stock exchange to apply to the Ministry of Information seeking approval for downlinking any foreign television channel in Bangladesh. The channel can be downlinked after the ministry provides permission. The applicant company should either own the channel or have exclusive marketing distribution rights for the same Contacted, Murtuza Reza, Secretary of the Information Ministry, told The Independent that they have sought explanation from the two companies on why they are are placing Bangladeshi commercials on foreign TV channels. The ministry will take steps against the companies after getting their explanations, Reza said. Earlier this month, Media Unity, comprising sixteen organisations, announced a 6-point charter of demands, including closure of downlinks of illegal foreign TV channels in Bangladesh, stopping broadcast of dubbed foreign serials on local channels and imposing a ban on advertisements on foreign channels. They had also set a November 30 deadline for the government and other authorities concerned to meet their demands. They announced to hold a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital on that day, otherwise.