DHAKA, Sept 28, 2021 (BSS) - Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa 
Jabbar today said the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission 
(BTRC) has temporarily postponed the process of shutting down unregistered 
news portals. 

  "The BTRC started the process of shutting down unregistered news portals 
following its list as today was the last day for closing the portals as per 
the High Court order. But as there are some errors in the list, the process 
has temporarily been suspended," he told BSS. 

  Noting that the BTRC has prayed for extending the time to the High Court 
for complying with its earlier directives, Jabbar said, "We sought lists of 
all registered and unregistered news portals from the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting. Actions will be taken against the news portals according to 
these lists".

  On September 14, the High Court ordered authorities concerned to shutdown 
all the unregistered online news portals in the country.

  A HC division bench comprising Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice 
Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order after holding a hearing on a 
supplementary plea filed in the regard. 

  The court asked the BTRC Chairman and Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) 
Chairman to execute the order within seven days of getting the copy of the 
order.