Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the government has already taken necessary initiatives to stop airing local advertisements in foreign television channels.
“Cable operators have been asked to stop airing local advertisements on foreign televisions using downlinks… As per the law, advertisements would not be aired in foreign television channels,” he said at a meeting with the members of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) in the conference room of the Information Ministry here.
ATCO President and Managing Director of Maasranga Television Anjan Chowdhury, Senior Journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Channel 24 AK Azad, Ekattor Television CEO Mozammel Babu and other ATCO members were present at the meeting.
Hasan said, “We have served notice on two organizations about using downlink for airing advertisements in foreign television channels. They have replied seeking 15 days for informing us in detail.”
All cable operators must abide by the law to run their business, he said, adding legal actions will be taken, if they (cable operators) violate the law.
“We will not allow unlimited time to respond to the notice… But will give time, if they seek logically,” the minister added.
Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said the government has given around 44 licenses for private TV channels. Of those, around 33 channels are now running, he added.
There are legal restrictions in some countries including the UK, India and Pakistan as well as in European continent on airing foreign advertisements, he said, adding if any television or cable operator in the UK airs foreign advisement, it must pay taxes and fulfill conditions of their laws.
He said the mass media is the fourth pillar of a state as it plays a vital role in many crucial issues of the country.
Hasan asked the authorities of the private television channels to be more sincere to run their channels for protecting interest of the country.
(BSS)
