Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday set a two-month deadline for removal of Direct to Home (DTH) devices illegally installed at hundreds of households in the capital, reports BSS.
“Otherwise the operators would be exposed to stern punitive actions after December 15,” the minister warned. “DTH uses are totally illegal as the government didn’t give any approval to use it,” he told a views exchange meeting with the stakeholders of television cable networks to bring the network under digital system at his ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The minister said mainly, the DTH, the reception of satellite programmes with a personal dish at individual home, imported from abroad and the distributors took money for one year from the consumers and they send the money through illegal way, he added. He said punitive actions would be taken against the dishonest distributors who will show negligence to remove DTH by the government’s stipulated time of December 15.
About the digitalization of the broadcast media, Hasan said, “After the digitalization of this sector, the interest of the country’s media and its employees will be ensured.” He said discipline has been established in the electronic media sector following different steps. The government will take actions if there is any irregularity, the minister added.
The minister said broadcasting Bangladeshi advertisements in foreign channels has been stopped. “Besides, the cable operators are maintaining the serial of the Bangladeshi TV channels as per their on air date. After keeping Bangladeshi channels, the cable operators are keeping the foreign channels,” he added.
The minister said some television channels are airing foreign TV serials dubbed in Bangla which is not acceptable. “So, the ministry has issued an order for TV channels to take government’s approval to broadcast the dubbing serials. A preview committee will also be formed soon to oversee the matter,” he added.
“We have already taken initiatives for the betterment of mass media . . . these initiatives put media in order mostly,” Hasan said. He said many companies specially the multinational companies are making advertisements by the second grade artists of foreign countries. “But, we have some international standard artists . . . so, the government has plan to stop of making such add made by the foreign artists,” he added.
Replying to a question about a rally of Jatiya Oikya Front on BUET student Abrar Fahad killing issue, Hasan said they are trying to catch fish in troubled water for their own political interest. Hasan, who is the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League as well, said the agitating students have withdrawn their movements after being satisfied of the initiatives taken by the government and the university authority.
He said now the Oikya Front is trying to keep their unity in any way. “For this, they will hold a rally over the Abrar issue. Actually, they are doing this to capitalise the dreadful incident for their own interests, not for Abrar,” Hasan added. Information Secretary Abdul Malek and Additional Secretary Nurul Karim, among others, were present.
