"The documentary films and records that still remained intact have to be preserved with utmost care. From now on, no documentary materials should be marred," Khaleda told the BTV officials and employees while she was inaugurating its archives in the afternoon.

Khaleda formally inaugurated the archives of the state-run audiovisual media at its main Bhaban at Rampura in the city.

The BTV went on air nearly four decades ago from the then DIT building, now RAJUK Bhaban, without having any archives in so many years of its journey.

Information Minister Tariqul Islam, Information Secretary Nazmul Alam Siddiqi and DG of BTV Mostafizur Rahman also spoke at the inaugural function in the BTV auditorium.

Addressing the function the Prime Minister categorically said that the Bangladesh Television is a national institution, not any political propaganda machine.

"You all have to attain national perspectives and redesign all the BTV programmes. As a staff of national broadcasting media, you should not carry out your jobs just as routine work," she told the TV rank and file.

Each and every programme must reflect the national tradition, culture and values, keeping in mind that it is not merely an entertainment medium, she said.

The PM said the BTV would have to uphold national identity, maintaining international standards.

The prime minister once more asked the national telecasting media to immediately find out the main problems and solution to the impediments to upgrading the standard of its programmes, enhancing credibility to the viewers.

"Why BTV will not be able to present standard programmes to catch viewers' attention and why its news, information, commentary and elucidation will not earn acceptability," she posed the questions to the BTV anchors.

Failing these, she said whatever programmes on development, education, information and promotional telecasts are taken would all be meaningless.

"The slogan Bangladesh Television speaks of the country, its soil and people will become useless," she said, putting across the message that there must be a change for the better.

She said the number of TV viewers in Bangladesh is none too less as well as "we are not lagging far behind in respect of equipment and technology while telecasting experience is not also so poor".

The prime minister, however, told them: "I'm not disappointing you. I am telling you to be more sincere and active in your responsibilities."