CSB News (Bengali: সিএসবি নিউজ), acronym of Chrono Satellite Broadcast,[1][2] was a Bangladeshi satellite and cable news-oriented television channel, being the first, albeit short-lived, of its kind, owned by QC Group,[1] through its subsidiary Focus Multimedia Limited.[3] It commenced test broadcasts between 21 February and 24 March 2007,[4][5] and was later officially launched on 9 April of the same year.[5] The channel was headquartered in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka.[6]
 | |
| Country | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Syed Grand Center, Uttara, Dhaka |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Bengali |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Focus Multimedia Limited |
| History | |
| Launched | 9 April 2007 |
| Closed | 7 September 2007 |
| Links | |
| Website | csbnews24 |
Focus Multimedia Limited applied for a license to operate CSB News in July 2006, which was at the time known as Focus TV. After being approved in October 2006, during the last few moments of the BNP–led government,[7] the channel was launched with the help of Indian media company Mediaguru.[8][1] It later ceased broadcasting on 7 September 2007.[3] After its closure, Bangladesh would not see the launch of another news-oriented television channel until 7 June 2010, when ATN News began operations.[9]
History
editClosure
editOn 23 August 2007, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting warned CSB News and Ekushey Television from airing any news reports, documentaries, talk shows, and discussions against the government.[10][11] Later, on 6 September 2007, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission visited the headquarters of CSB News and shut the channel down at approximately 18:00 (BST).[10][12][13]
According to officials, the channel was shut down due to "forgery" as it was found that a fake application was submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before getting its frequency allocation, two days prior to submitting the original one on 19 October 2006. It was also found that the signature on the approval letter submitted by CSB News was forged as the ministry stated that they had not issued any letter to the channel.[4]
This was pointed out by a probe body of the Ministry of Information which had suggested the government cancel the frequency allocation of CSB News in August 2007.[14] Its no-objection certificate was also allegedly forged.[15] The BTRC ordered the channel to respond within a week, keeping the channel off-air during that period.[3] Despite this, Reporters Without Borders protested against the closure of the channel.[2]
Aftermath
editOn 9 February 2009, the High Court issued a ruling to the BTRC and the government demanding reasons why the revocation of the license of CSB News should not be considered "illegal".[16] Its license was revoked by the government nevertheless.[17] Shortly after the fall of prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government, on 8 August 2024, Dhaka Reporters Unity demanded immediate reinstation of all unjustly closed media outlets in Bangladesh, including CSB News.[18] Later on 23 September, the High Court suspended the effectiveness of the letters issued by the government which shut CSB News down, allowing the channel to return to the air.[19][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "New Bangladesh news ch planned". Archived from the original on 21 April 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
- ^ a b "Condemnation of closure of CBS News". Reporters Without Borders. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "CSB News knocked off the air". BDNews24. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b "CSB News silenced". The Daily Star. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b c হাইকোর্ট: সম্প্রচার শুরু করতে পারবে সিএসবি নিউজ. Dhaka Tribune (in Bengali). 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "CSB News Switched Off". Voice of America. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Khan, Ashfaq Wares (16 March 2007). "10 TV Channels". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Mediaguru helping QC Group launch Bangladesh's first news channel". Exchange4Media. 23 October 2006. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "ATN News goes on air today". The Daily Star. 7 June 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh news channel off air". BBC News. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
- ^ "Govt asks ETV, CSB to refrain from telecasting provocative items". The Daily Star. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "We wish to inform you". The Daily Star. 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^ "Channel 1 shut". The Daily Star. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Forgery in CSB's frequency allocation". The Daily Star. 31 August 2007. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "CSB switched off for 'forgery'". BDNews24. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ সিএসবি'র সমপ্রচার বাতিল নিয়ে সরকারকে হাইকোর্টের রুল. BDNews24 (in Bengali). 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ দিগন্ত ও ইসলামিক টিভির লাইসেন্স বাতিলে চূড়ান্ত সিদ্ধান্ত হয়নি. Jugantor (in Bengali). 12 January 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "DRU calls for immediate reopening of unjustly closed media outlets". Dhaka Tribune. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ সম্প্রচার বাতিলের চিঠি স্থগিত, সিএসবি নিউজ সম্প্রচারে বাধা নেই. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2023.