‘Form broadcast commission fast’

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique has called for quick formation of an independent broadcast commission comprising media representatives to implement the National Broadcast Policy 2014.

He also suggested transfer of authority to supervise broadcast media-related matters to the commission from the information ministry.

Professor Siddique, a professor of mass communication and journalism, made the recommendation after the Cabinet approved the National Broadcast Policy 2014.

He said: “Now the broadcast commission needs to be formed immediately.”

The senior academic added representation of journalists should be ensured in the commission, which would supervise the implementation of the policy.

The cabinet nodded the draft of the policy which embargoed running news that might damage the image of the armed forces or police or create communal strife.

The policy provides for constitution of the commission and says the information ministry will take all broadcast-related decisions until the commission is formed and the policy became an act.

Siddique expects information ministry’s supervision of the policy implementation would be for the time being and the independence of journalism would not be curbed.

He hailed the government’s move to finalise the policy promptly.

“Till date, there was no policy. Now we’ve got it.

"But maintaining objectivity of news and responsible journalism are needed for implementation of the policy. Independence means we have to be more responsible," he said.

“We need to be careful to ensure that nobody indulges in wantonness exploiting the independence and the media is not used for political ends.”

The BNP, immediately reacting to the policy, accused the government of plotting to muzzle media in the guise of promoting responsibility and accountability.

But the government refuted the allegation.

Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said: "Robbing media of its freedom is out of the question."