The Progressive Democratic Party, formed during the military-backed caretaker government, has threatened to launch movement if the proposed National Broadcasting Policy is implemented.
'There are sufficient ways to control misdeeds and irrelevant publicity/publication under the existing law. So, there is no need for a new regulatory law,' the PDP chairman, Ferdous Ahmed Quarishi, said on Saturday while exchanging views with reporters at Biruttam Khaja Nazimuddin auditorium in the city's Segunbagicha area.
He claimed that direct publicity of any political party was prohibited in the proposed policy. 'Such policy is contrary to the political spirit and development of the country.'
'It has also been said in the policy that any 'erroneous' information must not be given. Now the question is who will determine the erroneous information?' he said.
The information ministry on August 1 submitted the draft of the country's first National Broadcasting Policy to the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry with a view to ensuring free flow of information.
The standing committee on September 22 recommended publishing the draft on the internet after consultations with stakeholders.
Stating that the role of the ruling Awami League in terms of freedom of press was not glorious in the past, Quarishi said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had imposed Newsprint Control Ordinance in 1974 and also banned all newspapers except four government publications while establishing the system of one-party rule called BAKSAL in early 1975.
The PDP chief urged the government to refrain from taking steps that violate the freedom of press, and show respect to people and public opinion.
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