The Bangladesh Army has been given temporary magistracy power in a bid to ensure public safety, said Nahid Islam, Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on Wednesday.
“The law and order situation is gradually improving. However, to ensure public safety and expedite the return to normalcy, the army has been granted magistracy power. This decision is necessary as we navigate through this emergency and work for reform,” said Nahid.
He came up with the remarks responding to a question at a briefing after a meeting with the newly elected members of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board and Jury Board.
“The police force will undergo comprehensive reforms to strengthen their capacity and restore public confidence, after which they will be brought back. The decision to grant magistracy power to the army was made to facilitate this transition,” he added.
On the issue of murder cases filed against journalists, Islam clarified that these are not government actions but rather cases filed by general people and in some cases due to personal grievances.
He assured that all such cases would be reviewed promptly and impartially. If no legitimate charges are found, the accused journalists will be exempted, he said.
“At the same time, I have also said that no one will be spared only for their identity of journalists, cultural personalities and poets. Those who promoted fascism worked to create public opinion through writings and opinions for the legitimacy of the fascist government and instigated genocide must be brought to justice.”
Addressing rumours on social media
The adviser also addressed concerns regarding the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Information is collaborating with various stakeholders to reinforce fact-checking mechanisms.
“We are considering setting up a dedicated fact-checking cell to counter rumours and ensure that the public receives accurate information. We are committed to preventing the spread of falsehoods that could mislead or harm the public,” said Islam.
Censor Board to be reconstituted as Film Certification Board
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced plans to reconstitute the existing Censor Board into a new Film Certification Board. This change comes in response to ongoing discussions and criticisms surrounding censorship in the film sector.
Nahid Islam, adviser to the Ministry, revealed the development during a briefing today at the Secretariat.
He explained that the transition to a Film Certification Board is being made under the Bangladesh Film Certification Act of 2023, which had been gazetted but lacked accompanying rules until now.
Nahid noted that the previous Censor Board, established under the 1963 law, was intended as a temporary measure to avoid financial losses in the industry while awaiting the new certification framework. "With the 2023 law now in place, we are moving away from the term “censor” and will establish the Certification Board in line with this new legislation," he said.
Today's meeting focused on addressing the outdated aspects of the 1963 law and the need for the new rules. The reconstituted board will aim to expedite the certification process for films pending release, ensuring that the industry remains dynamic and responsive to contemporary standards.
Adviser Nahid also addressed the shift from censorship to certification, highlighting that the change is driven by long-standing demands from film industry professionals who have opposed censorship.
The new framework is designed to facilitate ongoing film production while addressing industry concerns and ensuring regulatory compliance.
