Committee Urges Documenting 1990, July Uprisings Alongside Liberation War
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has stressed the need to include the history of the 1990 mass uprising and the July mass uprising alongside the 1971 Liberation War in national documentaries.
The committee also emphasised incorporating these historical events into important documentaries and archival documents preserved through the Bangladesh Film Archive, alongside other significant national events and programmes.
The committee made the recommendations at its second meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today, with committee chairman Md. Amanullah Aman, MP, in the chair.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman, State Minister Yasser Khan Choudhury, and lawmakers Md Ashraf Uddin, Md Mazibur Rahman, Nilufar Choudhury Moni, Fahmida Haq, Md Shafiqul Islam and Mst Nazmun Nahar attended the meeting.
The committee also stressed the need to consider the social impact of programmes and news broadcasts aired by Bangladesh Television (BTV), said a press release of the parliament secretariat.
It observed that BTV has an important public responsibility and it should not seek to transform itself into a commercial television channel. Instead, it should function as a media institution accountable to the state and society. The committee underscored the need to clearly define BTV’s objectives and responsibilities.
The committee further emphasised that BTV should present news by assessing its importance and giving priority to relevance. It also stressed producing and broadcasting programmes that appeal to the public.
The meeting discussed preparing a list, with names and designations, of officials under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting who were allegedly forced into retirement on unethical grounds or denied promotions over the past 17 years. The committee called for presenting the list at its next meeting.
It also called for a list of programmes and initiatives cancelled during the same period.
The committee emphasised ensuring transparency and accountability in all activities under the ministry. It also decided to visit Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).
In view of the upcoming Durga Puja, the committee recommended that all those present play an active and supportive role in ensuring that members of the Hindu community can celebrate the religious festival peacefully and freely.
The information and broadcasting secretary, directors general of departments under the ministry, heads of relevant organisations and senior officials of the ministry and the Parliament Secretariat attended the meeting.
