ZCZC
BSS-21
HASAN-FILM-MEETING
Hasan warns distributors against airing local add on foreign channel
DHAKA, April 2, 2019 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the government will remain strict on its decision not to allow broadcasting local advertisements on foreign channels.
“The government just issued show cause notices on two cable operators as they violated the law but it didn’t shutdown any channel,” he told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association (BFEA) at his secretariat office here.
Dr Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said the government is implementing the law for stopping airing local advertisements in foreign channels. But it didn’t shutdown any channel, he added.
“As per the subsection-19 (13) of the Cable Television Network Act, 2006, no one can air local product’s advertisements on foreign channels as it is illegal and punishable offence. . . Not only Bangladeshi advertisements, they are also not allowed to broadcast any type of advertisement,” he said.
He said the government issued the show cause notices on April 1 as they are violating the law. The government would do everything for the betterment of television owners, journalists and media personnel, the minister added.
Hasan said if the related law is followed properly, the income of the private TV channels will increase by Taka 300 crore to 500 crore and the employees of the industry, including journalists, will get their salaries and other benefits.
The minister said the films are the mirror of a society and it talks about the people. The films give entertainment too, he added.
Hasan said the film industry is one of the oldest media in Bangladesh. Earlier, there were around 1200 cinema halls across the country which is now only below 200, he added.
He said, “There are many reasons for the closure of cinema halls in the country. We need to protect the film industry for the sake of cinema halls.”
Information Secretary Abdul Malek, BFEA President Iftekhar Uddin Nowshad and BFEA advisor Sudipto Kumer Das, among others, were present in the meeting.
BSS/Asg/BKD/PSB/GA/1804 HRS