Remove Al Jazeera’s reports from online platforms: HC to BTRC

The High Court has directed the authorities of BTRC to remove the content of Al Jazeera's report titled ‘All the Prime Minister's Men’ from all online platforms.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Islam Mollah passed the order on Wednesday.

The order came after holding hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard. The court disposed of the matter, BTRC counsel Khandaker Reza-e-Rakib told newsmen.

Earlier on February 15, the court heard legal opinions of six amici curiae (friends of court) on the matter.

Tthe High Court, on February 10, had appointed senior lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali, Kamal Ul Alam, Abdul Matin Khasru, Fida M Kamal, Prabir Niyogi and Dr Shahdin Malik as amici curiae in the case.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Enamul Kabir Emon filed the writ on February 8, seeking High Court’s directive on the authorities concerned to ban broadcast of Al Jazeera in the country and also court’s order to remove the contents of Al Jazeera’s report titled 'All the Prime Minister’s Men' from all social media, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Al Jazeera broadcasted the report on February 1. The government dismissed the report, calling it “false and defamatory” and a desperate “smear campaign” instigated by extremists and their allies, working in London and elsewhere.