PM for upgrading BTV standard

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) authorities to upgrade its standard to compete with the private television channels in the country.
“BTV will have to develop its standard of programmes to compete with the private television channels,” Hasina said while inaugurating the programmes marking the completion of 48 years of BTV through video conferencing from her official residence, Gono Bhaban.
Hasina said the authorities of BTV, the only terrestrial TV channel of the country, will have to give more attention to their programmes with a view to attract more viewers.
“People all over the country, including in the villages, watch Bangladesh Television (BTV)… the authorities should pay more attention to upgrade the standard of its programmes,” she said adding that the state-run television channel should be well organised.
The prime minister urged the BTV authorities to take further initiatives to broadcast more programmes relating to agriculture, trade, weather and climate change, healthcare, and women and children.
She said that the BTV will also have to take more initiative to involve the people with the government activities and inspire them in the spirit of the Liberation War.
Hasina said the press and electronic media have a great responsibility for the country and its people. “I will request you to be more responsible.”
Mentioning that the media in the country have been enjoying maximum freedom, she said that responsibility also comes along with freedom. “Sometimes, we see lack of responsibility. Before publishing any news, people concerned will have to be more careful about what might be their effect.”
The prime minister said people of all ages -- from children to elderly persons -- read newspapers or listen to TV news. “So, you (media persons) have to be more careful before publishing or airing any news. You’ve to consider what impact a particular news can have on the minds of people.”
“We’ve endorsed 16 new TV channels including the Sangsad Television and seven radio stations,” she said and requested the people involved with the print and electronic media to look into the matter of responsibility as well while enjoying the freedom.
Hasina said the standard of BTV has increased over the years with the addition of modern technology and new programmes.
Mentioning the role of BTV in inspiring the people to build a 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said BTV is projecting the national tradition, history and culture of the country before the people alongside programmes on entertainment.
“The BTV is also ahead in broadcasting programmes related to education and it will have to be attentive to make such programmes more attractive and effective,” she said.
The prime minister said BTV has been digitised in line with the present government’s vision of `Digital Bangladesh’. “We’ve taken massive prorgrammes for BTV’s technological advancement, creative development and network expansion,” she added.
Later, Hasina also talked through video conferencing with Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, who was at the Rampura TV Station.