No government employee will be allowed to talk to the media, make any statement, opinion or publish any article in online without the permission from the chief of the concerned department, Ministry of Public Administration has sent letters recently to the Secretaries of all Ministry to issue instructions to all concerns to follow the rules mentioned in ' The Government Servants (Conduct)Rules-1979'.
It is mentioned in the letter that in violation of Section-22 of the 'Government Servants ( Conduct) Rules-1979' some government employees were giving statements or opinions in various media including radio, Bangladesh Television, various private channels, attending to various talk-show and discussion meetinga and publishing article or letters to various newspapers and online media. They were also making statements and opinions on the government policy making.
In the rule of section-22 of the Government Servants ( Conduct) Rules-1979, it is mentioned, except for assigning the duty or without the permission of concerned head of departments, no one will be allowed to participate in radio or television programme or write any article in any newspaper or in any periodical by using his/her name or anonymously.
But, the permission of attending such programme or writing of the article will be given if that do not hamper the integrity and do not damage friendly relation with foreign country or hamper security of Bangladesh or which is do not hamper public discipline, morality and modesty or do not regarded as an instigation for criminal organisations or contempt of the court. However, no prior permission is required if such broadcast or articles or letter is completely literary, cultural, scientific and sports related. The rule further mentioned, no prior permission will be required if such broadcast/telecast or participation is about any development of the government activities to be apprised to the people by the Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or the UNO.
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