Editorial
Channel 1 shutdown
Unexpected jolt to the media
THE decision of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to shut down Channel 1, a private television company, on grounds of alleged breach of terms appears arbitrary, abrupt and detracting from the spirit of free media. Obviously, closing down of a television channel by an administrative fiat based on a technical, rather than any substantive point, doesn't seem to be consistent with the notion of fair-play.
The television channel has been charged with illegal use of 'rented equipment' which of course is not permissible under the existing terms and conditions between the channel and the BTRC. However, a closer look will reveal that Channel 1 was the original owner of the equipment, they lost the ownership after they failed to repay bank loan, and the bank sold the equipment through an auction and the bid money reportedly has not been paid either. On the face of it, the matter appears inconclusive so that a precipitate action could have been avoided.
The point that we would like to make is that channel 1 could be engaged in a process leading to a legal action being initiated against the channel, instead of closing it down unceremoniously. The reasons behind our taking this position need a little elaboration. First, the circumstances in which the channel was using the 'rented equipment' are open to legal interpretation. In a situation like this, only the law can determine the extent of the breach of contract. Secondly, the closure will inevitably lead to Channel 1 personnel losing jobs in these hard days for no fault of their own. This is a matter that should have been taken into consideration before switching the channel off since unemployment is still a major problem for our journalists. Thirdly, the government is fully committed to growth of free media so that BTRC perhaps should have been more circumspect in a pluralistic democratic society. Thus, before taking such a stringent decision the BTRC could issue warnings, besides considering other options that would have given Channel 1 a chance to explain themselves, come out in the clear and commit to abide by the rules.
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