The Association of Television Channel Owners (Atco) has issued directives making it mandatory for television journalists and employees to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) or clearance letter from their current or last employer before joining any other organisation.
In a “special emergency notice” signed by the association’s President Anjan Chowdhury and General Secretary Abdus Salam issued today (17 May), the organisation stated that employees working in or leaving any television channel must secure proper clearance before accepting employment elsewhere.
According to the notice, joining another television channel without an NOC will be considered a violation of institutional rules. It also warns that organisations may take legal action against employees who breach the directive.
The decision has triggered widespread criticism on social media from journalists, with many raising concerns over professional mobility and employment rights.
The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) also strongly condemned the directive, calling it inconsistent with constitutional rights.
In a statement, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel said that journalists have the constitutional right to choose their workplace and change employment freely. They argued that no private organisation or employers’ body can impose such unilateral restrictions.
They further said that making NOC compulsory and threatening legal action for non-compliance contradicts labour laws, journalistic ethics, and the principles of a free media environment.
According to DRU, the directive could create fear, uncertainty, and a deteriorating working environment for media professionals, while undermining press freedom.
The journalists’ body has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Atco directive and urged relevant stakeholders to refrain from taking any decisions that undermine the rights and interests of media workers.
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