The Interim Government of Bangladesh has not shut down any media outlets, according to a press release on Tuesday (August 20).

“We firmly believe in freedom of the press and freedom of speech,” read the press release sent by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The statement from the Chief Adviser office was issued a day after the High Court ordered the suspension of Somoy Television's transmission for seven days.

The High Court has suspended the telecast of private TV channel Somoy TV for seven days following a writ petition by Shampa Rahman, managing director of Somoy Media Ltd.

The bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Sashanka Shekhar Sarkar issued the suspension order on Sunday and served a show-cause notice on the channel, demanding an explanation within seven days for why it should not be permanently shut down.

Senior lawyer Ahsanul Karim represented the petitioner. He explained that the writ was filed to protect the channel's editorial independence.

The suspension comes after recent changes in the channel's management, where Ahmed Jobaer was removed from his position as managing director and CEO of Somoy TV and replaced by Shampa Rahman on behalf of City Group.

The channel is owned by Somoy Media Limited, a subsidiary of the City Group.

BDST: 1958 HRS, AUGUST 20, 2024
MSK