Govt trying to track down unauthorised TV channels

The Information ministry has written to the home ministry to act firmly against atleast a dozen unauthorised tv channels.

Shahidul Islambdnews24.com
Published : 8 August 2015, 05:09 AM
Updated : 8 August 2015, 06:32 AM

But the home ministry has tossed the issue back and said it is the information ministry which has to act against these unauthorised tv channels.
 
Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed told bdnews24.com that they requested the home ministry to take action against some unauthorised tv stations.

The information ministry’s appeal to the home ministry followed an unsigned letter on the issue received by the ministry, said Senior Assistant Secretary Akhtaruzzaman Talukder.

The number of authorised tv channels in Bangladesh is 43. Of them, 23 are now broadcasting and licenses of two have been withheld.

An information ministry official said the unsigned letter complained of fraudulent activities by Filmy Bangla TV, Bengali Movie SK TV, Channel 5, Channel 7, DM TV, Movie Bangla TV, Bangla Music TV, SB TV, Ctg TV, Ananda Bangla TV, CTN TV and Rang TV.

“We came to know that even extortion has been taking place under cover of the tv channels, which don't exist officially, said the official preferring anonymity.

The home ministry says that the information ministry can itself act against these illegal tv stations.

“The information ministry can initiate measures. If a case has to be filed against anyone, the information ministry has to do it,” home ministry’s Additional Secretary Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Mumin told bdnews24.com.
 
He said that they are yet to instruct the police to take measures against fake tv channels as the information ministry had requested.
 
"Action can start once the information ministry asks the police to move against them," said the home ministry official.