Draft Broadcasting Ordinance to Bring IP TV, OTT and Streaming Services Under Regulation
Alongside traditional media, IP TV, IP radio, Direct-to-Home (DTH), infotainment and entertainment-related OTT services, as well as streaming and video-on-demand (VoD) activities, are set to come under the ambit of broadcasting law. To this end, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has prepared a draft titled “Broadcasting Ordinance, 2026”, aiming to bring these emerging, technology-driven services under a formal registration and regulatory framework.
According to the draft, organisations currently operating with approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prior to the promulgation of the ordinance will be deemed licensed under the new law. However, broadcasters seeking new licences will be required to apply by paying the prescribed fees in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations. Upon receiving an application, the commission will conduct a thorough review and submit the necessary recommendations to the government within a specified timeframe regarding the issuance of licences.
The draft ordinance stipulates that broadcasting activities must uphold the country’s independence, sovereignty, and constitutional values as the highest priorities. It also directs broadcasters to contribute to the establishment of social justice by disseminating accurate information on the Liberation War and various mass movements and uprisings. At the same time, the media has been instructed to play an effective role in promoting religious harmony and building a discrimination-free and exploitation-free society.
To ensure public safety, the draft proposes strict penalties for the disclosure of military or civilian classified information, as well as for the broadcast of gambling or fraudulent advertisements. If any broadcaster violates Sections 13(1) and 13(9) of the ordinance and carries out broadcasting activities in contravention of the law, all individuals involved in such broadcasts may face imprisonment for up to three years, or fines ranging from a minimum of BDT 1 million to a maximum of BDT 5 million, or both. If a broadcaster fails to comply with government directives issued in the national interest or on matters of public importance, those responsible may be fined up to BDT 50,000.
Furthermore, if a broadcaster airs advertisements for unauthorised or unlicensed financial institutions, betting or gambling, tobacco and tobacco products, alcohol or alcoholic beverages, or any misleading or deceptive advertisements for the general public, both the advertiser and those involved in the broadcast may be punished with up to two years’ imprisonment, or fines ranging from BDT 500,000 to BDT 3 million, or both. Displaying advertisements featuring locations such as the National Parliament Building, the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, the Bangladesh Secretariat, courts or court proceedings, cantonment areas, or key point installations (KPIs) may result in imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine of up to BDT 200,000, or both, for all persons involved in the broadcast.
The draft places strong emphasis on ensuring the public’s right to information by mandating the dissemination of truthful, objective, and verified content. It prohibits the promotion of any particular ideology or the imposition of personal opinions, instead requiring broadcasters to maintain neutrality and present opposing viewpoints in a balanced manner. Avoiding conflicts of interest in news reporting has also been made mandatory.
In terms of technical and engineering matters, the draft assigns responsibility to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and outlines provisions for the formation of a Broadcasting Commission through a separate ordinance to ensure proper management, quality enhancement, and legal protection of broadcasting organisations. Under Section 4 of the draft ordinance, the government will form a high-level selection committee to establish the Broadcasting Commission. This committee will recommend a shortlist of qualified and distinguished citizens for appointment as commissioners. The five-member committee will be headed by the Cabinet Secretary and will include two experts with at least 15 years of experience, the ministry’s secretary, and an additional secretary. To ensure coordination on technical issues, the draft calls for at least one monthly meeting between the Broadcasting Commission and BTRC to resolve matters requiring inter-agency coordination.
It has been learned that the gazette notification of the ordinance may be issued ahead of the upcoming election. However, before finalising the draft, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has invited public opinions until January 31. The draft ordinance has been published on the ministry’s website, and it is available in Word and PDF formats at the provided link. Feedback and suggestions have been requested via email at secretary@moi.gov.bd and law2@moi.gov.bd.
DBTech/MUM/EK/OR
