Editorial
Plethora of new TV channels
Favouritism with licenses
PRECISELY how the public are to benefit from the addition of 13 new TV stations, on top of the 27 existing Bangladeshi channels, is open to debate. This of course has become somewhat of a ritual since the last elected government in power engaged in the same practice prior to stepping down. What is interesting to note is that besides a handful of channels that number less than ten, the rest are in various stages of financial meltdown. Given the economic state of the country, the annual advertising basket is shrinking, not expanding. Hence, this rush for new licenses, most of which have gone to ruling party men including members of parliament and advisors to the government or those they promote, smacks of favouritism in an area demanding professional commitment.
We might also be within our rights to ask precisely what the criterion for handing out such licenses is. From what has been witnessed in the past, it has more to do with party loyalty and clout than promotion of media ethics or adding value to a range of voices. These channels lead to pollution of media rather than enhancing its freedom since ownership patterns suggest political affiliation. The dynamics of electronic media soon result in most new channels ending up in the 'red' leading to transfer of ownership to unscrupulous businessmen who have not an inkling of what news or entertainment constitutes. It lends credence to the argument that such practices are merely an expansion of party propaganda.
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