Television and film organisations protest legal notice seeking to halt romantic projects
A group of organisations representing producers, directors, artistes and crew members in Bangladesh’s television and online media have jointly protested a legal notice seeking to stop the production of romantic dramas and films.
The organisations expressed strong resentment, deep concern and protest over the notice in a joint statement issued on Thursday (August 27).
According to the statement, the legal notice has caused deep concern and surprise among professionals in the television and entertainment industry.
The organisations said Bangladesh’s television and audiovisual industry has long contributed to the country’s culture, entertainment, creativity and economy. They stressed the importance of creative freedom, artistes’ right to expression and compliance with existing laws and policies.
The statement said, “If there are objections or complaints about specific content, there are opportunities to seek remedies under the relevant laws, regulations and existing regulatory frameworks.”
However, the organisations said an attempt to stop an entire genre of creative work could affect the employment and creative activities of many people connected directly and indirectly to the television industry. “Stopping the production of romantic dramas or films as a whole is in no way compatible with the development of the creative industry,” the statement said.
At the same time, the organisations acknowledged the need for responsible and quality content. They called on the relevant authorities to play an effective and positive role in protecting creative freedom, ensuring the working rights of artistes and crew members, and maintaining the normal activities of the country’s entertainment and cultural sectors.
The joint statement was signed by Shahiduzzaman Selim, president of Directors Guild Bangladesh; Faridul Hasan, general secretary of Directors Guild Bangladesh; Azad Abul Kalam, president of Actors Equity Bangladesh; Rashed Mamun Apu, general secretary of Actors Equity Bangladesh; Shihab Shaheen, president of Television Playwrights’ Association; Mezbah Uddin Sumon, general secretary of Television Playwrights’ Association; Sahil Rony, general secretary of Cameraman Association of Bangladesh; Sadek Siddiqui, president of Audio-Visual Technical Owners Association; Rajjak Raj, general secretary of Television Assistant Directors Organisation of Bangladesh; and Mahbub Rahman Manik, president of Bangladesh Makeup Artists Association.
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