PM stresses National Broadcast Policy

"Everybody has a responsibility to the society. You will have to protect the rights of others like the way you enjoy your rights---it is the reality," she said.

The Prime Minister came up with the views while inaugurating the newly-created Bangladesh Film and Television Institute (BFTI) and its first course at the National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCO) at Darussalam in the capital.

The Prime Minister said her government has crafted the National Broadcast Policy to run the flourishing broadcast media as per specific rules and regulations and development of their quality.

"A broadcast commission would be constituted in the light of the (broadcast) policy," she said.

"I know that there is a commotion about the broadcast policy and many (of people) are opposing it. But the national broadcast policy is framed and implemented in every country of the world as everything is run thru it," she added.

She said there was a long-time demand from the journalist community for framing of a national broadcast policy.

"When we crafted the policy following their demand, a group became vocal and is opposing it now," she said adding the policy was given to the website for three weeks and opinions of all have been taken to this end.

Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu was the special guest at the function chaired by Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed.

Chief Executive of the BFTI Dr Mohammad Jahangir Hossain and Course Director of the first course of the institute Moshiuddin Shaker also spoke highlighting the BFTI goals and objectives.

Sheikh Hasina said her government always believes in expansion and freedom of mass media to uphold development and democracy.

"To ensure free flow of information, we have framed the Right to Information Act-2009 and constituted the Information Commission," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has declared newspapers as an industry and announced the 8th Wage Board for journalists and employees of the newspaper industry.

"The rate of advertisement has also been increased rationally along with raising the salary," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has enacted the Journalist Assistance Allowances/ Grants Policy-2012 and in the light of the policy, assistance is being given to the journalists.

To establish a permanent arrangement, she said, "The Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Act, 2014" has been passed in the Jatiya Sangsad and its gazette has already been published."

The Prime Minister urged all concerned to come forward for flourishing the country's film industry and stressed the need for modernisation of cinemas outside Dhaka.

In this connection, she mentioned that Bengali films are very rich in quality and they could compete any movies of the world if we could create smooth environment and provide assistance.

"I don't get sufficient time to watch movie. I only get time to see film when I go abroad by air. At that time I watch Bengali films and I am very much impressed with seeing the Bengali films," she said amid thunderous clapping of the audience.

The Prime Minister said both film and television are a strong mass media which have significant contribution to spread the country's culture, history and heritage across the world.

Besides, she said, artistic presentation of all branches of art and culture including literature, music, acting, decoration, painting, photography is made in the two mass media.

Sheikh Hasina said film and television provide entertainment to the people and say the words of mind. "They project joy and sorrow, love and separation, struggle and justice and injustice which arouse good sense and sharpen conscience," she said.

They also flourish the spirit and even they have a great influence in the future plan. "So the film and television have been playing a decisive role in spreading education and in building nation and beautiful society," she said.

Sheikh Hasina emphasised making of films on social reforms, and said the moviemakers will have to give special attention so that their productions could not derail young generation.

"They will also have to make programmes to meet the demand of the rural people," she said.

Talking about various initiatives for flourishing and development of mass media, Sheikh Hasina said her government during its 1996-2001 tenure gave approval for operating television channels in private sector, opening up a new horizon in expanding mass media in the country.

"Our government has so far allowed 41 private TV channels, 24 FM radio centres and 32 Community Radios side by side with Bangladesh Betar, BTV, BTV World and Sangsad TV to flourish, "she said.

"As a result, rural people could now be involved in the mainstream of development," she added.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that Bangladesh Films and Television Institute would be one of the supportive organization in developing a creative, talent and patriotic society imbued with values of humanity.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that the institute would be able to develop trained, skilled and efficient films and TV programme makers and activists and inspire them in producing healthy films and programmes to sustain competing in the international arena.

The Prime Minister asked the students of the institute to make such movies and TV programmes which flourish human elements of the people and awaken the conscience of the audience rising above the terrorism, clash and greediness.

"It is my expectation that you would keep up your brilliance after taking training from the institute," she said.

The information minister said television and films such two mediums which balanced flourishing is a must for our continued advancement.

Stressing the need for healthy entertainment, Inu said the healthy and beautiful entertainment provide inspiration to us, it infuses joy into the spirit and enhances our efficiency.

Paying deep homage to Bangabandhu, the information minister said: "We would pay his debt by destroying and defeating the communal forces."

Inu said the trial of the killers of 71, 75 and August 21 grenade attacks is underway. "But conspiracies are on to protect the killers and masterminds of these heinous crimes and grab the power," he said.

The information minister said it is true that the plots of the militants are ongoing. Besides, conspiracies are on to distort the history and undermine the War of Liberation and Bangabandhu.

In this connection, "I want to like to say that Bangabandhu and War of Liberation are similar to "giant elephant".

Inu said as a freedom fighter he is equal to a little ant riding on the War of Liberation. "Like that the commanders including AK Khandakar are equal to small and large ants," he said.

The information minister said a commander could write his autobiography, but it is not right work for the commander or the freedom fighter equal to an ant like me to distort the history.
BSS
Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol