Don't distort language, Bangladesh court tells media

Dhaka -  Radio and television channels have been told by a court not to distort Bangla and other foreign languages in their broadcasts, a media report said.

The Dhaka High Court Thursday directed radio and television channels authorities not to use distorted Bangla or foreign languages in Bangla broadcasts, the Daily Star reported.

The order came following publication of an opionion piece "Bhasha dushon nodi dushoner motoi biddhongshi (language distortion is as devastating as river pollution)" in Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

An experts' committee has been told to find ways to stop distortion of Bangla language in radio and TV programmes. The committee has to submit its recommendations to the court by March 20.

Rakibuddin Ahmed, secretary general of Dhaka University Alumni Association, placed the opinion piece, written by Syed Manzurul Islam, a professor, before the court and sought an order to prevent language distortion.

The court also asked the government why it should not be ordered to take action against those who distort the mother language and to cancel the licences of the radio and TV channels airing such programmes.