2024-03-10 19:19:11
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat said that the Information Commission has taken the initiative to investigate the case of sentencing a journalist of Sherpur’s Nakla Upazila through a mobile court.
On Sunday (March 10) in his office at the Secretariat, he made this comment to the journalists after a courtesy meeting with the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupui.
The state minister said that two types of information have been received in this regard. One is that he has been sentenced for the crime of soliciting information, the other is that he has been sentenced for misconduct. The two facts are contradictory. Still not sure which one is true. I want it to be investigated and the truth will come out. That initiative has already been taken by the Information Commission. I spoke to the Chief Information Commissioner. They will conduct a detailed investigation and after the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.
“I don’t think enforcement of the law is abuse of power. But in many cases there is scope for abuse. There are both. So it is not right to jump to any conclusion without knowing the whole matter. But I want to confirm one thing that I am monitoring the matter, subject to investigation so that the correct information comes out. We will ensure that no one, be it a journalist, artist or literary person of Bangladesh, becomes a victim due to abuse of power for any reason’ added the state minister.
When asked what was discussed with the French ambassador, the state minister said that he had a discussion with the French ambassador about how to deal with the spread of misinformation in social media and mainstream media in France. France has several laws, regulatory bodies that take care of these issues.
The ambassador also said that any person who spread any disinformation within France against the French government, and if there was a foreign power behind it, would be brought in for formal interrogation. Here they don’t give any discount. They have various regulatory agencies that detect misinformation and report it to the government.
The French ambassador also said that as regulation can disrupt the freedom of the media, regulations are needed to preserve the freedom of the media.
‘I also agree on this. Laws and regulations are needed to protect professional journalists. Whether the law is being enforced or misused is the issue. But there is no country in the world outside the rules. All countries have laws. The state minister also commented that no one is exempt from misinformation.
He said, there was a discussion with the French ambassador about how Europe or Western countries or our neighboring countries deal with this misinformation and how we can use it here.
At this time, the state minister told reporters that France has confidence in the government and people of Bangladesh. Ambassador said that they are keen to work with us on various issues. France will work with Bangladesh to combat disinformation.
At this time, the state minister said that there was a discussion with the ambassador about the joint cooperation of Bangladesh Television with the French government subsidized television channel France Twentyfour.
Regarding the recent strike of Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (QUAB), he said, “I have sat and talked with Quab leaders. They have highlighted their issues. Then I told them one thing clearly, no one can do anything outside the law. OTT platform packages all the channels which is illegal. I have directed the ministry to look into them. A letter has already been sent from the ministry to send two representatives each from QUAB, ATCO, ISP Association and DTS. A collaboration cell has been created with them. A meeting will be held with them soon. From there we will proceed to solve all the problems. The ministry is working on these issues. That is why it is not right to go on such a strike midway. All problems will be resolved within the law.