PM warns against misuse of mass media

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government would take steps as per law against anyone trying to create 'chaos' by using the mass media.

She said this in reply to a question by Comilla-9 MP Md Tajul Islam.

Islam had asked whether actions would be taken against political parties or persons spreading disinformation through the mass media and other means to disturb peace.

Hasina referred Section 39 of the Constitution which guarantees the freedom of thought and conscience as well as the press.

However, it says that these rights are subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.

"None of us are above the law. If anyone indulges in any subversive act, he will be tried under existing laws," she said.

Police on Apr 11 detained pro-BNP Daily Amar Desh's Acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman on sedition charges and for publishing an alleged conversation between a tribunal judge and an expatriate legal expert.

The same day, law keepers sealed the broadsheet's printing press.

Apart from it, private Diganta TV and Islamic TV were 'temporarily' taken off air on May 5, on the night of the Hifazat-e Islam's mayhem in the capital Dhaka.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu had said later that steps had been taken against the two TV stations for breaching licence terms and for creating a volatile situation that could have led to violence.

During the Question-Answer session, Hasina said if anyone is hurt by any media report, he can seek remedy under the Bangladesh Press Council Act and the existing civil and criminal codes.