Bangladesh’s TV channels and newspapers are at loggerheads over publication of video contents by the online platforms of newspapers, with the concerned minister taking the side of the broadcasters to call it illegal.
The Editors’ Council, representing the print media of Bangladesh, however ruled out any scope for creating controversy over newspapers publishing digital content on their online platforms, saying their advancement depends on the combination of print and digital contents as the digital revolution around the world has posed a new challenge for the industry.
Newspapers around the world continue their efforts to retain readers and create new ones by coming up with new digital content, as the people are no longer satisfied with a newspaper or e-paper, it said, adding that they also want new audio and video content that includes interviews, features, and analysis.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud earlier said newspapers or news portals are not legally allowed to broadcast talk shows and bulletins. They are violating the conditions of their declarations (registration) by broadcasting talk shows and videos on their online platforms, he added.
The minister referred to the National Online Mass Media Policy 2017 (which was amnded in 2020) and said they cannot publish any such contents according to the sub-section 2,4, and 6 of section two of the policy.
Leaders of the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) recently brought the issue to the attention of the minister and said online versions of newspapers and online news portals don’t have any approval to publish talk shows and news bulletins.
“In the digital age, providing relevant video clips with news is not a violation of the rules, but the policy does not approve of broadcasting talk shows or news bulletins at all,” the minister said.
