SMP withdraws notice on closure of unregistered online news portals in Sylhet

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has withdrawn its earlier public notice directing the shutdown of unregistered online news portals within 48 hours, just 16 hours after it was issued, amid widespread criticism.

In a revised notice signed by SMP Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury on Thursday (April 30), the previous order issued on Wednesday night was officially cancelled.

The updated notice was circulated at around 11:30am through the SMP media WhatsApp group.

On Wednesday evening, SMP had issued a notice giving a 48-hour ultimatum to close unregistered online news portals, citing the National Online Media Policy 2017 (amended 2020). The notice alleged that some portals were publishing false, misleading and defamatory content without proper registration, which could damage public trust and Bangladesh’s international image.

It had also warned that legal action would be taken if unregistered platforms were not removed from local and international domains within the deadline.

However, following criticism, the police authority withdrew the directive within hours, replacing it with a cancellation notice.