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New twist in cable trouble

Operators defy ban on ‘obscene’ channels

By Mustak Hossain
Cable Operators who are In a discord with ’pay channel' providers over the Increased rates for use of the channels have started transmitting free programmes of some other channels, sources concerned said.
These channels Include TB6. FTV, TV-5. PTN and MEGA Following a meeting with cable operators recently, the government banned the first three channels on charges of obscenity. PTN and MEGA came into operation later.
“Transmission of programmes of these channels would adversely affect the younger generation because most of Inose transmit programmes considered semiporno." a guardian in the city’s Mohammadpur area alleged.
He termed Russian channel TB6 the ’worst channel' and said it transmits pornographic films at midnight and French channel FTV presents models
with flimsy or see through clothing.
When contacted. Convenor of Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) S M Anwar Parvez admitted that he had received such allegations from various areas of the city.
"We must not transmit programmes of these channels but since there is no movie channel, some of our members have been transmitting these to keep their subscriber base strong following a row over rates with pay channel providers," he said.
He alleged that the government is yet to take any step to solve the dispute even after four months. Moreover It has 'imposed VAT and tax on us', he said.
"We have written to the ministry concerned that In this circumstance, we are unable to pay VAT and tax and we have also demanded a five-year tax holiday".
Parvez claimed that this sec-
tor should be exempted from VAT and tax as unemployed youths are mostly engaged In the sector. "We need bank loans to develop the sector.’
Khandokar Fazlur Rahman. Joint Secretary of Information Ministry and In-charge of matters relating to cable television, said the channels which are considered pornographic should not be allowed to transmit any longer.
He said it Is difficult to stop transmission of programmes these channels since there is no mechanism to do so overnight in the absence of Satellite Television Control Act in the county
. The Act is in the final stage, he mentioned.
"Another problem is that we need proper representatives from the cable operators so that we can impose laws on them since there is more than one cable operators association in the country", he said