Bangladesh Television (BTV) is the state-run television network in Bangladesh. Pakistan Television commenced operations in 1964, broadcasting from a region then known as East Pakistan. Upon Bangladesh’s attainment of independence, the station was renamed Bangladesh Television. BTV operates a nationwide channel and a regional station based in Chittagong, as well as Sangsad Television, which broadcasts parliamentary activities. In 2004, BTV launched its worldwide channel, BTV World.
Media assets
Television: BTV, BTV World, BTV Chattogram, Sangsad Television
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
BTV is a state-owned broadcast organization whose management is appointed by the government. BTV is directly accountable to the Ministry of Information, which is also responsible for allocating the station’s budget.
Source of funding and budget
BTV has been the recipient of government subsidies for an extended period of time. In the past, the station generated 90% of its revenue from advertising, but competition from commercial players has significantly reduced this source of income. For years, the station has also relied on revenue from license fees (a fee imposed on all households in the country) to fund its operations. However, this was insufficient to cover the costs of the broadcaster. Consequently, the government has been providing significant financial support to the station over the past several years, covering all staff salaries.
Editorial independence
BTV is a state-controlled media outlet, with editorial guidelines set by the government. The outlet’s website states that it “represents” the government. Local experts and journalists interviewed for this report in May 2023 have indicated that the station’s objective is to serve the government, with a policy of not airing any programs that criticize the political party in power.
To date, no domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate BTV’s editorial independence has been identified.
The favorable coverage of the state authorities has resulted in a significant public backlash against the station. During the extensive protests in the summer of 2024 that led to the ouster of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BTV became the target of the protesters, who in July 2024 set fire to the BTV headquarters in Dhaka.
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina on August 6, 2024, a series of media reforms are underway in Bangladesh. Among the reforms is a proposal to regrant editorial independence to the country’s state media. In September 2024, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam announced the formation of a reform commission to oversee the implementation of new policies aimed at freeing the Bangladesh media from state control.
September 2024