Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud yesterday said BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir gave a statement over the OTT (Over the Top) platform without reading and understanding as he is talking like ‘Mister Wisecracker’.
“There is no relation between the OTT platform and mass media or social media. But Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir gave the statement without reading and understanding it. His statement likened ‘Mister Wisecracker’,” he said, addressing a two-day District Information Officer Conference organized by Mass Communication Department at Tathya Bhaban in city’s Kakrail.
The minister said the speech of BNP secretary general echoed Begum Khaleda Zia as she said that information would be smuggled if the country is connected with submarine cable. But, he (Mirza Fakhrul) mixed OTT with social media or mass media, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary
He said the OTT platform is not social media or mass media. Especially, entertainment contents including dramas, cinemas are upload in the platform, he said, adding there are some platforms including ‘Charki’in Bangladesh.
He said some contents are uploaded in the platform which are against the culture and values of the country and even some contents almost liken pornography. There were criticisms about those contents in the country and in the mass media as well, he said, adding that many of the mass media called upon the government to form a policy on the OTT platform.
Hasan said, “The High Court gave an order earlier and the policy is being formed as per the order. The aim of the policy is to flourish the OTT platform and conduct it based on a policy as none can upload contents against our culture, heritage and values. The work of forming a policy is going on by a committee formed with stakeholders and mass media personalities.”
The minister gave directives to the information officers to spread the development activities of the country and awareness programmes on social media.
Additional Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ministry Md Mizan-ul-Alam addressed the function as special guest with Mass Communication Department director general Md Jashim Uddin in the chair.
Later, the minister unwrapped the cover of a book written by information officer Md Mamun-or-Rashid.
Earlier in the morning, Hasan exchanged views with AL leaders of Cox’s Bazar unit at Circuit House in Cox’s Bazar.
Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Sarwar Kamal, MP, Jafar Alam, MP, AL district unit vice president Jafar Alam Chowdhury and AL Canada unit president Sarwar Hasan, among others, were present.
