Dhaka, May 18 -- The Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF) has come out swinging against a directive by television channel owners making it mandatory for journalists to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before switching jobs.

The Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) issued the directive on Sunday, signed by President Anjan Chowdhury and Secretary General Abdus Salam.

It said taking up a job at another organisation without first obtaining an NOC from the current employer -- whether still employed or after leaving -- was strictly prohibited.

Any employee who joined another organisation without an NOC would be considered to have breached company rules and could face legal action.

SRF President Masudur Rahman Rana and Secre...