BSS-52 Discipline to be brought in TRP: Hasan

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ZCZC

BSS-52

HASAN-TRP-DISCIPLINE

Discipline to be brought in TRP: Hasan

DHAKA, June 22, 2020 (BSS)- Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today underscored the need for bringing discipline in TRP, saying unapproved TRP is not acceptable to the government at all.

“We don’t know who is giving TRP to whom. Many raise questions where from those entities, which are making TRP, get approval and who gives them licences too. Because, there is no government approved organization in the country to fix the TRP,” he said.

The information minister made the comments while replying to a question at a press briefing at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat here.

Hasan said there prevailed a unhealthy competition to keep the TV channel in first serial in cable network and some people took unethical advantage.

“We have stopped those activities. We know that unapproved organisations select the TRP. There is also an ill competition, which is not acceptable at all,” he added.

The information minister said the governmentis scrutinising how the TRP is determined in India, Sri Lanka and the European countries. There is an organization comprising public and private institutions to determine the TRP in India that ownsa big television industry, he added.

He said, “We will bring discipline in this area soon after discussing with ATCO (Association of Television Channel Owners), Broadcast Journalist Center and other stakeholders.”

Replying to another query, the information minister said, “We will bring discipline to this end and ask for explanation how they are doing this without any approval.”

About illegal and indecent web series contents, he said they must keep in mind the culture and values of the country while making any film, web series or other contents.

“We have a tradition, heritage and culture and we have social values too. But many don’t keep it in their minds. It is not proper to do such thing which will disregard our culture, and it is also a punishable offence,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

As per the act, the information minister said, the people who publicise these types of contents could be arrested and the offenders will have to face the highest 10 years of imprisonment.

He said, “We are investigating whether those service providers creating the scope to release such web series, have licences or not. Legal actions would be taken, if they have no licences. Even if they have approval, it is a punishable offence as per the video pornography act. So, the government would take legal actions.”

Earlier, the information minister inaugurated an online training programme on COVID-19 for volunteers at the divisional-level organized by Awami League Science and Technology Sub-committee.

Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, experts, leaders of the sub-committee and trainees took part in the inaugural function with sub-committee president Professor Dr Hossain Mansur in the chair. AL Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Md Abdur Sabur conducted the function.

In his speech, Hasan said Awami League is a pro-people party and added “The party remained beside the masses in the past and will stay beside them in future too. Our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been serving the people and she always leads every movement of people to realize their rights.”

He said Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave directives to the party leaders and activists to remain beside the people in combating Corona situation.

“You all see that many of our party leaders have been affected by the Coronavirus. Three eminent Awami League leaders- Mohammed Nasim, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Badar Uddin Ahmed- died due to the virus. They were always beside the people and worked for their (people) wellbeing,” he added.

Besides, he said, advisory council member Haji Maqbul Hossain also died of Coronavirus. He (Maqbul) also worked for the people, Hasan said adding “Our party will remain beside the masses.”

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