Registration must for online newspapers in Bangladesh

The government has made it mandatory for all online newspapers to be registered by Dec 15, including those already published online.

This was to stop 'yellow journalism' and ensure government support, said a government announcement on Monday.

An Information ministry official clarified that daily newspapers with online versions also have to register afresh by Dec 15. 

Besides filling in a prescribed form, the publishers will have to file a declaration with the information department.

Both the form and the proforma of the declaration will be available on the department's website. 

They can also be collected from the Protocol division of the information department.

The details submitted will be verified before registration can be done.

Senior Information Officer (protocol) Mohammad Shahenur Mia told bdnews24.com that the government is trying to enforce a uniform regulation for the online media.

"Only registered online newspapers can apply for accreditation," he said.

While deciding on the number of accreditations for various online media, the government will take into consideration the Alexa ratings, the Google Analytics data, the content and the number of journalists employed by the concerned media.  

Currently, 138 online newspapers have accreditation for their journalists. In Bangladesh, nearly 3,000 media groups have been given accreditation for their journalists. 

"Police's special branch officials will inspect offices of various online media for verification," the official said.

Shahenur Mia said the accreditation of journalists of online media that fail to get registration will be cancelled.