Halt online media policy, TIB urges govt

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today called upon the government to halt the implementation of Online Mass Media Policy.

In some cases, the policy poses potential threat to press freedom, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of the anti-graft watchdog, in a statement.

The body hailed information ministry’s repeated initiatives to collect opinion while drafting the policy, but it thinks, such recommendations were not reflected in the outcome.

Iftekharuzzaman specifically raised objection on the definition of online mass media.

The organisation pushed for halting the implementation of the policy until the rectification of such clauses which pose potential threat to freedom of the press.

TIB recommended selecting universally acceptable individuals to create a free and fair National Broadcasting Commission which will oversee the implementation of the policy.