Why should unregistered news portals, IPTVs not be shut down? HC to govt
Secretaries to the information and home ministries, IGP, RAB DG, BTRC chairman, and Press Council chairman, have to respond to the rule within two weeks.
The High Court (HC) has issued a rule upon the government as to why it should not be directed to take necessary steps to shut down unregistered news portals, IPTVs and news-related Facebook pages.
It also asked the government to explain why there should not be a rule determining educational qualifications of journalists in the country.
Secretaries to the Information and Home ministries, Inspector General of Police, Director General of RAB, chairman of BTRC, and the Bangladesh Press Council were asked to respond to the rule within two weeks.
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The virtual bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, on 1 September, issued the rule after a preliminary hearing of a writ petition.
The issuance of the rule became known on Monday.
Milad Mohammad Zainul Islam, general secretary of Beanibazar Press Club in Sylhet, filed the writ petition last month seeking an HC directive to shut down unregistered news portals, Internet Protocol Televisions (IPTVs), and news-related Facebook pages.
Lawyer Syeda Rafika Khatun appeared for the writ petition and Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state in court.
The petitioner's lawyer told TBS that news stories are often made with false and fabricated information. These news items are often published on unregistered news portals, IPTVs, and Facebook pages. This creates adverse reactions in society and a negative perception of Bangladesh abroad. The writ petition was filed on these issues.
The next hearing will be held on 15 September, Syeda Rafika added.
