The Cabinet approved the 'National Online Media Policy, 2017' (revised, 2020), barring registration for online editions of satellite television and newspapers.
Regular cabinet meetings were held on Monday (August 31) via video conference. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting from Ganobhaban. Other members of the Cabinet joined from the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat.
After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam briefed the media at the Secretariat.
He said that the policy of online media in 2017 has been amended. A total of five new parts have been included in the amendment.
The secretary said there were no specific guidelines on the eligibility or ineligibility for registration of online news portals, determination of authorization fees and authority, conducting campaigns as licensed television channels and radio news portals, broadcasting IP TV and internet radio. The draft has been approved by including them anew.
Responding to a question from reporters, the secretary said he was not eligible to go online on radio and television. If they want to go online, they need permission. That is, many television news portals are running. Earlier it did not have to take any permission, now it has to be taken.
He added that in the case of newspapers, if any news printed in the newspapers is published entirely online, registration is not required. However, if there is a difference between the printed and their online, you have to register.