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Online Reporter/

The High Court has ordered the removal of 6 provocative videos from Facebook-Youtube that undermine the image of the country. The Facebook-YouTube authorities and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) have been asked to implement the order within the next two weeks.

Tuesday (August 30) Justice Md. Khasruzzaman and Justice Md. The High Court bench of Iqbal Kabir gave the order. At the same time, the court issued a ruling seeking to know why the inaction of the authorities to remove the provocative video that defames the reputation of the country should not be illegal.

Advocate Munshi Moniruzzaman, Advocate Yusuf Khan, Barrister Arafat Hossain Khan heard on behalf of the writ in the court. Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad appeared for the state.

Earlier on Sunday, a writ was filed against Facebook and YouTube to remove fake news and videos that are provocative and create unrest in public life. The writ sought directions to constitute a monitoring board to identify provocative videos. Supreme Court Advocate Barrister Arafat Hossain Khan Advocate Nilufar Anjum and Judge Court Barrister Ashraful Islam filed the writ.

Barrister Arafat Hossain Khan sent this notice on behalf of Supreme Court lawyer Nilufar Anjum and Barrister Ashraful Islam on August 21. Later today a writ was filed in this regard.

Shabnaz Rashid Dia, Head of Public Policy of Facebook and YouTube Bangladesh, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Director General of Digital Security Agency, Inspector General of Police and others concerned were sent this notice.

The notice said Facebook and YouTube authorities have failed to monitor and control inflammatory posts online and on social media, which pose a threat to state sovereignty, security and public order. The false information tarnishes the image of the state apparatus which is in violation of Articles 27, 31, 38 and 44 of the Constitution. Sections 30, 64, 76, 97A of Bangladesh Telecommunication Act and Sections 8, 13, 16, 25 of Digital Security Act 2018 have been violated. Section 46 of the Information and Communication Technology Act has also been violated.

It also said that Facebook and YouTube were recently found not to be fully following their surveillance strategy. This is especially happening in Bangladesh. A lot of fake news, content, images and videos are spreading on social media in Bangladesh. Many political figures and intellectuals are being disrespected by this. The image of Bangladesh is also being tarnished due to the broadcasting of many sensitive foreign policy information. Such actions are being taken to present Bangladesh as a failed state to the international community and create instability in the country.

The notice claims that ignorance of the clear policies of BTRC and DSA and recent regulations of Facebook and YouTube is spreading fake news and creating violence and unrest. These videos published on Facebook and YouTube are against their own policy.