13 TV channels await approval

Thirteen new private TV channels are on way to get the greenlight.

Shahidul Islambdnews24.com
Published : 25 Nov 2013, 07:56 AM
Updated : 25 Nov 2013, 03:40 PM
Owners and promoters of these stations seeking approval include a minister, an advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several lawmakers and the son of the chief of business conglomerate Bashundhara Group.
The Awami League government had approved 18 TV channels during its tenure.
Information Secretary Mortuza Ahmed hinted that these 13 channels were likely to get licence soon enough.
“Let’s talk later on this matter,” he told bdnews24.com.
Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu ducked queries when asked about the issue.
However, an official at the Ministry of Information, requesting anonymity, told bdnews24.com the whole issue of providing licence to the 13 channels was now in the final stage.
A summary suggesting a decision considering all aspects in approving the licences during the tenure of all-party interim government has been sent to the minister from the Information Secretary’s office.
The list has the names of the chiefs of companies and those who have recommended them.
Awami League leader Gazi Golam Dastagir, an MP of Narayanganj, is the Chairman of ‘Green TV’ of Green Multimedia Limited.
Forests and Environment Minister Hasan Mahmud is one of his referees.
East West Media Group's ‘News 24’ Managing Director is Sayem Sobhan, son of Bashundhara Group's Ahmed Akbar Sobhan.
Former State Minister for Liberation War Affairs AB Tajul Islam recommended for Millennium Media Limited’s ‘Titas TV’ whose Managing Director is Dhanad Islam Dipto.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's Information Advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury’s name is on the list as MD of ‘Dhaka Bangla Television’ of Dhaka Bangla Media and Communication Limited.
Millennium Multimedia Pvt Ltd-owned Millennium TV's Managing Director is Noor Mohammad. His referee is MP from women's reserved seat Mumtaj Begum.
Shah Alamgir has been listed as the Chief Executive Officer of 'New Vision TV' of News and Image, and Munshiganj lawmaker Sukumar Ranjan is his referee.
Ruling MP Shahriar Alam is the Chairman of 'Renaissance TV' of Barinda Media Ltd.
Awami League leader and MP Khalid Mahmud has backed Rangdhanu Media's 'Rangdhanu TV'. The Managing Director of the channel is HM Ibrahim.
'Cambrian Television' of BSB Foundation (Chairman Lion MK Bashar), 'Jadu Media TV' of Jadu Media Ltd (Chairman Annisul Haque), 'Channel 21' of Broadcast World Bangladesh Ltd (Managing Director Abdullah Al Mamun Kowshik), 'Amaar Gan' of Media Bangladesh Ltd (Chairman Tarun Dey) and 'ATV' of ATV Ltd (Chairman Abbas Ullah) are others on the list seeking approvals.
Earlier, on Oct 20, the government approved 'Channel Bayanno'. On Nov 6, 'Bangla TV' got the clearance.
In Oct 2009, the government gave the go-ahead to Ekattor TV, Mohona Television, Channel 9, Somoy TV, GTV, Independent Television, Maasranga Television, ATN News, My TV and Bijoy TV.
Channel 24, SA TV, Asian TV, Dipto Bangla Television, Gan Bangla were awarded licences in 2010.
Jamuna TV got its licence back on Jul 29 this year.
The Information ministry officials said at this moment two hundred applications for TV channel licences were pending with the ministry.