Research Monograph

On
Media Law of Bangladesh

Prepared By
Meheruna Hossain Sonia
ID No: 201633820010
Program: LL.M (1 Year)
Batch: 20th
Department of Law
Bangladesh University

Prepared For
Prof. Dr. Nazmuzzaman Bhuian
Advisor
Department of Law
Bangladesh University

Date of Submission: 23 September, 2017

 Letter of Transmittal

Date: 23rd September 2017

To
Prof. Dr. Nazmuzzaman Bhuian
Advisor
Department of Law
Bangladesh University

Subject: Submission of Research Monograph.

Dear Sir,
I am hereby pleased to submit the Research Monograph on Media Law of
Bangladesh. It was a great pleasure to work on such an important topic. This
project was done according to the requirements of the Bangladesh University.

I believe that this report will certainly help your in evaluating my project. I would
be very happy to provide any assistance in interpreting any part of the paper
whenever necessary.

Sincerely yours

Meheruna Hossain Sonia

ID No: 201633820010
Program: LL.M, Batch: 20th
Department of Law
Bangladesh University
 Declaration
I do hereby solemnly declare that the work presented in this project paper has been
carried out by me and has not been previously submitted to any other
University/College/Organization for an academic qualification or a professional
degree. I hereby ensure that the work that has been presented here does not breach
any existing copyright.

I further undertake to indemnity the University against any loss or damage arising
from batch of the forgoing obligation.

Meheruna Hossain Sonia

ID No: 201633820010
Batch: 20th
Id: 201633820005
Department of Law
Bangladesh University
 Certificate

This is to certify that the Research Monograph on Media Law of Bangladesh. is

the bona fide record of project work done by Meheruna Hossain Sonia, ID No:
201633820010 for partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Masters
of Laws from the Bangladesh University. I do hereby that the project work has
been carried out under my direct supervision and guideline.

I wish her every success in her life.

Prof. Dr. Nazmuzzaman Bhuian

Advisor
Department of Law
Bangladesh University
 Acknowledgement

At first, I would like to thank Almighty Allah for his kindness on me in accomplishing
the research. I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my honorable
supervisor Prof. Dr. Nazmuzzaman Bhuian, Advisor, Department of Law, Bangladesh
University for his individual suggestions, valuable time, important information and
guidance during the study period that has greatly inspired me in preparing this report
successfully.

It could not possible to think all those people who have contributed for the preparation of
this report. Of course there are some very special names that cannot be forgotten. I am
also grateful to the Department of Law, Bangladesh University for providing me such an
opportunity to come closer to real situation.

Finally, I want to express my deep gratitude to my family members and all well wishers
whose enormous helps assisted me to complete this research.

Meheruna Hossain Sonia

ID No: 201633820010
Program: LL.M
Batch: 20th
Department of Law
Bangladesh University
 Abstract
The Act outlines the system for the operation of printing presses and the printing and
publication of newspapers and registration of books. To become a newspaper or magazine
owner or publisher, permission, declaration and registration from the government is
required. The district magistrate may authenticate or withhold authentication of
declaration. The Act bars any publisher and printer from printing and publishing
anything that affects interest/s of State and the government of Bangladesh. Under the
Act, the printers and the publishers are required to give separate declarations before the
District Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction such newspapers shall be printed or
published that they will not publish in the proposed newspaper anything which is
objectionable for, or offensive against, the interests of the Peoples Republic of
Bangladesh or its government. The Indian sub continent state of Bangladesh is just one
of a number of developing nations that has yet to come to grips with the concept of
liberalism and its co companion a free and open press. Restrictions on press activity in
that nation began with the British and the occupation by the East India Company some
two centuries ago. Since independence in 1947, there have been waves of freedom for the
press and subsequent clamp downs by various regimes under various political stripes.
This paper investigates both the history of the press in that part of Asia and documents the
behavior of the authorities toward press activity in Bangladesh.
 Table of Contents

Name of Topic Page No.

Chapter One: Introduction 01-04
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Objectives of the Study
1.3 Methodology of the Study
Chapter Two: Media Laws in Bangladesh: A Historical Perspective 05-19
2.1 Media Laws in Bangladesh: A Historical Perspective
2.2 Media Law
2.3 Entitlements of Media Workers
2.4 Establishment of News Media Industry
Chapter Three: The Role of the Media in Deepening Democracy 20-28
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The Medias Role in a Democracy
3.3 Constraints on The Media
3.4 Good Practices: How the Media Have Promoted Democracy And Good
Governance
Chapter Four: Freedom of the Press and its Constraints 29-34
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Theoretical Discussion
4.2.1 The Liberal Free Press Theory
4.2.3 Legal Theories and Free Press
Chapter Five: The Present Media Situation in Bangladesh 35-40
5.1 Press & the successive governments
5.2 Media Organizations
5.3 Pre-Independence History of Press Laws & Regulations
Chapter Six: Media Coverage of Governance Issues 41-48
6.1 The Media: Overarching Findings
6.2 Media Reach
6.3 Coverage of Government and Oppositions Achievements and Failings
6.4 Media Ownership: Conflicted Interests
Chapter Seven: Recommendations and Conclusion 49-56
7.1 Recommendations And Implications For Action
7.2 Conclusion
References
Appendix