Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will soon hold a representative meeting on OTT
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat expressed displeasure over the recent strike by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB). At the same time, to bring the OTT platforms into the legal framework, a meeting will be held soon with two representatives from the respective organizations and a decision will be taken soon, he said. The Minister of State for Information also commented that laws and regulations are needed for the protection of professional journalists.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting made this comment after a courtesy meeting with French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie MASDUPUY in his office at the Secretariat on Sunday in response to various questions from journalists.
In response to a question, urging the members of the COAB to refrain from calling a strike, he said, "I have sat and talked with the COAB leaders." They have highlighted their issues. Then I told them one thing clearly that, no one can do anything against the law. What the OTT platforms are doing bringing all the channels under packages is illegal. I have directed the ministry to look into the matter. Meanwhile, a letter has been sent from the ministry to send two representatives each from COAB, ATCO, ISP Association and DTS. A collaboration cell has been created with them. A meeting will be held with them soon. From there we will proceed to solve all the problems. The ministry is working on these issues. That is why it is not right to go on such a strike midway. All problems will be resolved within the law.
In response to the questions of the journalists about what was discussed with the ambassador of France, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting said that he spoke with the ambassador of France about how to deal with the spread of disinformation in social media and mainstream media in France. France has several laws, regulatory bodies that take care of these issues. The ambassador also said that any person who had spread any disinformation within France against the French government, and if there was a foreign power behind it, would be brought in for formal interrogation. Here they don't give any excuse. They have various regulatory agencies that detect misinformation and report it to the government.
The state minister also said that the French ambassador said that regulations can disrupt the freedom of the media, but rules are needed to protect the freedom of the media. I also agree on this. Laws and regulations are needed to protect professional journalists. Whether the law is being enforced or misused is the issue. But there is no country in the world without rules. All countries have laws. No one is exempt from misinformation.
At this time, the state minister also said that we had a discussion with the French ambassador to know and understand the experience of how Europe or Western countries or our neighboring countries deal with this misinformation and how we can use it here.
He also told reporters that France has confidence in the government and people of Bangladesh and they deeply want to work with us on various issues. France will work with Bangladesh to combat disinformation.
Mohammad A. Arafat said that, there was a discussion with the ambassador about the joint cooperation of Bangladesh Television with the French government subsidized television channel France Twenty-four.
In response to another question from journalists about the incident of sentencing a journalist of Nakla upazila of Sherpur through mobile court, the state minister said that two types of information have been received in this regard. One is that he has been sentenced for the crime of soliciting information, the other is that he has been sentenced for misconduct. The two facts are contradictory. Still not sure which one is true. I want it to be investigated and the truth will come out. That initiative has already been taken by the Information Commission. I spoke to the Chief Information Commissioner. They will conduct a detailed investigation and after investigation appropriate action will be taken.
In this context, the state minister also said, "I don't think that enforcement of law means abuse of power." But in many cases, there is scope for abuse. There are both. So, it is not right to jump to any conclusion without knowing the whole matter. But I want to confirm one thing that I am monitoring the matter, subject to investigation so that the correct information comes out. We will ensure that no one, be it a journalist, artist or literary person of Bangladesh, becomes a victim due to abuse of power for any reason.
