Dr Akbar against broadcast policy

21 October 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The government needs not formulate any broadcasting policy, as the existing laws are enough to ensure accountability of the media, Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government, said at a roundtable yesterday. He said the media are answerable to the court, and it can take action against anyone on charge of defamation, sedition through the conventional laws. Khan is of opinion that a separate council can be established for journalists like other professional councils so that the media people can work to maintain quality and accountability. He also advocated for strengthening the Press Council. Khan, also former chairman of Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC), said the RRC had recommended the government for pre-publication before enacting any rules or regulations. “Unfortunately, the recommendation has not been implemented”, he added. Chief Information Commissioner Muhammad Zamir said the government should decide on the policy after holding discussions with responsible people of the media. Terming the draft of the national broadcasting policy as "black law", Dr Kaberi Gayen, associate professor of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dhaka University, urged the media people to reject and protest it. Journalists Abu Sayeed Khan, Mahfuzullah, Syed Istiaq Reza, Pranab Saha, Sakil Ahmed, and television personality Abdur Noor Tushar, among others, spoke while journalist Nur Safa Julhaj moderated the roundtable "Freedom of Expression and Broadcasting Policy" organised by Progressive Art and Mass Media Workers Forum at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.