For decades, Bangladesh has been subjected to a one-sided information flow from across the western border. Indian television channels are broadcast freely in Bangladesh, shaping perceptions, tastes, and even political discourse. Yet, Bangladesh’s own media – whether television networks or YouTube platforms – have long faced strict bans and barriers in India. This asymmetry is not accidental; it is deliberate. It reflects India’s deep-rooted policy of controlling the narrative while denying Bangladesh reciprocal access to its own market.
The time has come for Bangladesh to assert its sovereignty in the information space and ban the broadcast of Indian TV channels. Such a move is not only justified but also necessary to protect Bangladesh’s national interest.
Firstly, reciprocity is the foundation of fair bilateral relations. India has enforced harsh restrictions against Bangladeshi television and digital platforms, well before the collapse of the Hasina regime. These bans remain in place without any genuine dialogue or review, ensuring that Bangladesh’s voice is excluded from reaching Indian audiences. Meanwhile, Indian channels dominate Bangladeshi cable packages, filling living rooms with Indian serials, films, and news coverage that often distort reality. This unequal relationship has created a cultural imbalance where one side dictates narratives and the other is forced to absorb them without the ability to respond in kind.
Secondly, the content itself is far from neutral. Indian television news is notorious for its constant stream of propaganda, targeting Bangladesh’s politics, economy, and sovereignty. The coverage is not journalism but a weaponised narrative, designed to erode confidence in Bangladesh’s state institutions and project India as the regional hegemon. From exaggerating minor issues to outright fabricating claims, Indian networks wage a 24-hour campaign that serves New Delhi’s foreign policy objectives. Allowing such channels unrestricted access is equivalent to permitting foreign interference in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs.
Thirdly, the cultural impact cannot be ignored. Indian entertainment channels have gradually displaced Bangladeshi productions, undermining the country’s own creative industries. Local television dramas and films struggle to compete against the flood of imported Indian content, which enjoys greater visibility and marketing. This has weakened the Bangladeshi media sector, limiting opportunities for local artists, producers, and journalists. A ban would create space for domestic industries to grow, diversify, and assert cultural identity free from outside dominance.
Critics will argue that banning channels is an illiberal step or that audiences should have the freedom to choose what they watch. But freedom of choice cannot exist in an unequal playing field. When one country bans its neighbour’s media while dumping its own content across the border, it is not “choice”; it is coercion. By banning Indian channels, Bangladesh would simply be levelling the field, demanding equal treatment and protecting its citizens from foreign propaganda.
The government of Bangladesh has a duty to safeguard national sovereignty in every domain – military, economic, cultural, and informational. Just as foreign troops would not be allowed to patrol our streets, foreign broadcasters should not be allowed to dominate our airwaves while silencing our own media in theirs. A ban on Indian TV channels is not about isolationism; it is about fairness, reciprocity, and sovereignty.
Bangladesh is no longer a passive spectator. It is an independent state with a vibrant culture and a growing global presence. To protect that identity, it must stop being a captive audience to a neighbour that denies it equal respect. Banning Indian channels would send a clear message: Bangladesh’s narrative will be written by Bangladeshis, not dictated by New Delhi.
Policy Recommendations
- Immediate Ban on Indian Channels: Enforce a nationwide suspension of Indian television broadcasts on all cable, satellite, and online platforms until India lifts its discriminatory bans against Bangladeshi media.
- Strengthen Domestic Broadcasting: Provide financial and regulatory support to Bangladeshi channels and digital creators, ensuring they can fill the void left by banned Indian content with high-quality, locally produced programming.
- Promote Regional Alternatives: Encourage partnerships with broadcasters from friendly nations such as Türkiye, China, South Korea, or the Middle East to offer diverse international content without dependence on India.
- Establish a Media Sovereignty Act: Enact legislation that mandates reciprocity in cross-border media access, ensuring that no foreign country can enjoy broadcasting rights in Bangladesh while simultaneously blocking Bangladeshi content on its soil.
- Digital Monitoring and Enforcement: Create a specialised regulatory body to oversee compliance, monitor online platforms, and prevent re-broadcasting of banned Indian content through unofficial channels.
By adopting these measures, Bangladesh would secure its media space, nurture its creative industries, and reclaim narrative sovereignty from its neighbour.
Ayesha Farid is a regional security specialist focusing on South Asia, with over a decade of experience analysing inter-state tensions, cross-border insurgency, and regional power dynamics. Holding a Master’s degree in International Relations and having worked with several policy think tanks and academic institutions, she offers nuanced insights into the security challenges shaping the subcontinent. Ayesha’s expertise lies in mapping military doctrines, border disputes, and regional cooperation frameworks, making her a key contributor to BDMilitary’s coverage of South Asian strategic affairs. She heads the Geopolitics & Diplomacy section at BDMilitary.
