The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting today urged all media outlets not to publish or broadcast statements of convicted accused persons, citing legal directives and national security concerns.

In a press release, the ministry said the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) had earlier prohibited the broadcast of statements by convicted accused and fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the July-August genocide case through mass media and social media platforms.

According to the ministry, the ICT directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the ICT Division and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to ensure that Sheikh Hasina's statements are not broadcast, and to remove and prevent the circulation of her previously delivered speeches containing hate speech across all media platforms.

The ministry said the tribunal's directive reflects the spirit of the July Uprising.

It also noted that the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), citing relevant legal provisions and national security considerations, has separately requested media outlets to refrain from broadcasting statements of convicted accused persons.

Ajkaler Khobor/MK