Media enjoying full freedom, says info minister

The media in Bangladesh are enjoying full freedom as the government has ensured the free flow of information to accelerate national development, said information minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday, reports UNB. 

The minister said this in parliament while replying to a tabled question from ruling Awami League MP Afzal Hossain.

He informed the house that the government has approved 44 private TV channels, 22 FM radio and 33 community radio stations as part of moderate broadcast policy of this media-friendly government.

In a written answer, Hasan Mahmud said this media-friendly government is not interfering in the freedom of newspapers and transmission of news independently in electronic media.

He said 3,597 online media have so far applied for registration since the registration process began in December, 2015.

In reply to a query from AL MP Shamsul Haque Tuku, the minister informed the house that the total number of print media (public and private) in the country is currently 3,165.

Of the total number, 3,164 is privately run print media and one newspaper -- Daily Barta published from Rajshahi--is run by a trustee board of the government.