Broadcast commission in 5 months: Inu

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has said an independent broadcast commission will be constituted once a relevant law is in place.

Speaking at a private TV station on Monday, he said a committee would be formed in ‘7-10 days’ to formulate the independent broadcast law in light of the National Broadcast Policy.

The Cabinet nodded the draft of the policy on Monday.

Inu said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the Cabinet meeting, instructed prompt constitution of the commission after formulation of law.

He said a committee would be formed comprising media stakeholders, who would take two months to formulate a draft of the law.

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The minister said the draft would be published on the website of the ministry and revised based on the opinions and recommendations of the stakeholders.

The revision may take one more month, he added.

Then the draft would be tabled in Parliament following scrutiny by the parliamentary committee.

Inu thinks completion of formalities for constitution of the commission would not take more than five months.

The draft policy prohibits carrying news that might tarnish 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 becomes an act.