Dhaka: In Bangladesh with growing criticism more than 500 applications for Internet Protocol Television or IP TV have been submitted to the government for registration. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will approve 10 to 15 IP TVs this month. This information has been known from the relevant sources.
It is learned that the government will register these IP TVs in the light of the national online media policy after verification and selection. More IP TVs will be brought under registration in phases.
The National Online Media Policy states that all online media must be registered with the Commission. However, until the commission is formed, the government or any affiliated body empowered by the government will be responsible for registration.
The registration authority will register the online media following certain rules and regulations. Existing online media will be registered subject to conditions.
It further said that the government will formulate rules for registration in consultation with the stakeholders. It will describe the procedure for issuing registration, eligibility and disqualification and the provision for cancellation. Until laws/rules are enacted in this regard or if there is ambiguity in the laws/rules / policies, the government will take necessary decisions in these matters.
All registered online media outlets will be considered as recognized by the government.
An official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who did not want to be named, said 10 to 15 IP TVs would be registered under the National Online Media Policy. These IP TVs will be registered within this month. Later, some more IP TVs will be registered step by step.
However, even after registration, news cannot be broadcast from IP TV. This condition is clearly stated in the National Online Media Policy.
Ruzina Sultana, Deputy Secretary (TV-2), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said the process of IP TV registration has started. Registration will be given from those whose applications have been submitted.
RAB also closed the IPTV Jayayatra office owned by Helena Jahangir, the leader of the Jayayatra group, which recently lost the post of sub-committee of the Women’s League.
Meanwhile, a case has also been filed against Helena Jahangir under the Telecommunications Act. RAB-4 SI Idris Ali filed the case with Pallabi police station on July 30.
It has been alleged that Helena Jahangir opened IP TV and appointed a large number of representatives at home and abroad. In the name of giving journalist identity card, from 20 thousand to one lakh taka has been taken from everyone.
During an exchange of views with journalists at the Secretariat on August 2, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Hasan Mahmud said, “Since we have not started giving approval, no IP TV is allowed.” However, there are many allegations against some IP TVs. We take action from time to time in response to that complaint.
He further said that some IP TVs are run for personal gain, spreading various kinds of confusion. However, we take action if any complaint is noticed. In the meantime, action has been taken against many.
