(BSS)–Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam today urged all private television channels to formulate and publicly publish their own code of conduct to ensure greater transparency and accountability to the people.

He made the call while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with a delegation of the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) held at the meeting room of the ministry here.

“The publishing the code of conduct will allow the general public to judge whether a channel is adhering to its own standards. This will help strengthen accountability to the people,” he said.

The adviser noted that the government is working in consultation with stakeholders to digitalize cable TV networks.

“A view-exchange meeting has already been held in this regard, and another round of discussions with concerned stakeholders will be held soon,” he added.
The adviser said the government plans to formulate a comprehensive policy on cable TV digitalization based on opinions gathered from all relevant sectors.

Referring to Television Rating Points (TRP), Mahfuj Alam said discussions are ongoing with the Posts and Telecommunications Division and Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited.

He expressed hope that a decision will be reached soon to bring transparency and standardization in the TRP system.

During the meeting, ATCO leaders emphasized the urgent need for digitalizing cable TV and proposed setting a specific timeframe for its implementation.

They also stressed the importance of including stakeholders’ opinions in the process of formulating any laws or policies related to private TV channels.

About the current media environment, ATCO representatives said that private TV channels are operating without any government interference or pressure.

Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mahbuba Farjana, ATCO Treasurer Zahir Uddin Mahmud Mamun and Directors Mostafa Kamal, Abdus Salam, Navidul Haque and Tipu Alam Milon, among others, were present at the meeting.

Earlier, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser briefed journalists on various issues of the ministry.