Dilemma for private TV channels

She then asked them to make sure that their television channels play a due role and give proper coverage to the BNP-led four-party coalition. They were called to the prime minister's office after a group of BNP leaders had reportedly alleged that the TV channels -- Boishakhi, Banglavision and Ntv -- were not serving the government's cause. It is mentionable that all the three television channels received their licences during the tenure of the present government.

A Dhaka daily (The Bangladesh Today) reported on June 22 that "among the eight television channels Ntv, Rtv, Boishakhi, Channel 1, and Banglavision are airing regular programs while the rest are running test programs."

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Mossadeque Ali Falu, a lawmaker of Dhaka-10, is the chairman of both Ntv and Rtv while Begum Afroza Abbas, wife of Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, is the chairperson of Boishakhi. M H Selim, a BNP lawmaker, is chairman of Channel 1, and Mustafizur Rahman, former BTV DG, supported by powerful ministers, is the Chief Executive Officer of Banglavision. BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuyian and Dhaka City Mayor Sadeq Hossain are also reportedly among the owners (albeit anonymously) of private TV channels.

It requires huge expenditure to open a new TV channel. The people, as well as the opposition leaders, want to know about the sources of funds of the owners of these private TV channels, and the demand is becoming louder. However, I leave aside that issue here to be discussed in a subsequent column.

The prime minister has recently become very critical of the media, both print and electronic. While talking to the newly elected office bearers of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) on June 18 at her office, the prime minister called upon journalists to perform their duties to protect the country's interest, refraining from any action which might harm the national economy. This came as a shock to the journalists who believe in the freedom of the media and the people's right to know.

It needs no repetition that a free and independent media is essential for strengthening our nascent democracy. The believers in media freedom have aptly said that the free exercise of most of the rights held dear by citizens of democratic societies depends heavily on the existence of a free and independent media, capable and ready to air grievances and expose abuses, particularly governmental abuse of power and graft and corruption by officials. In addition, the media provides citizens with a broad range of views on all issues which helps them make up their own minds.

Subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law, the constitution of Bangladesh has guaranteed the freedom of thought and conscience, the right of every citizen to freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom of the media.

The prime minister's scolding some private TV channel owners belonging to the ruling camp and asking them to highlight the ruling alliance activities to promote the interest of the alliance in view of the coming general election has brought to the forefront certain important issues:

-- The prime minister's censuring the private TV channel owners without any attempt at secrecy reaffirms the fact that in Bangladesh the freedom of the media continues to be restrained by the invisible hand of censorship.

-- The government-owned BTV is well-known for its sycophancy and lack of news sense. The private TV channels have brought some relief to the people in respect of news programs. It is a good omen that the pioneers of broadcast journalism in Bangladesh have set a standard that encourages criticism of the establishment in favour of public interest and this seems to be a standard that has been maintained, regardless of the political allegiances of the channel owners.

--Another Dhaka daily (New Age) wrote on June 23 that in the past decade, broadcast journalism in Bangladesh has developed in leaps and bounds due to its powerful ability to show images to a general public that is largely unable to read and write and rarely able to purchase newspapers. So it is not surprising that these private TV channels, set up as commercial ventures, will find themselves at a disadvantage if they do not remain at the cutting edge of journalistic practice and standard, largely due to the vast number of choices when it comes to television viewing.

--Will the owners of these private TV channels be able to withstand the pressure of the establishment? The answer is definitely in the negative. This means that the process of growth of an independent electronic media will be stalled.

In view of what has been stated above, free and independent media in the country can play an active role in inculcating democratic values among the general people, provide them with a broad range of views that may help them make up their minds, and in the end, favour the oppressed and the weak, regardless of who is in power. The earlier the political parties, whether in power or in opposition, realise this, the better it will be for the nation.

M. Abdul Latif Mondal is a former Secretary to the Government.