Outline of Media Commission after consulting all stakeholders: Adviser Nahid
The information adviser also said the interim government wants to establish a Media Commission based on the overall democratic aspirations
An outline will be created for a Media Commission after consulting all stakeholders, said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam.
"An initiative has been taken to form a reform commission to bring forth all the issues in one place and find a solution for the restrictive laws that exist for newspapers, electronic media and social media," said the adviser during a virtual seminar on reforming media and communication policy of Bangladesh organised by "The Bangladeshi Communication Scholars in North America" last night (29 September).
Also present at the event were Bangladeshi teachers from various universities based in the United States and leading figures in Bangladesh journalism were present in the seminar.
Terming various groups related to the media contradictory, the adviser said, "When we are discussing the commission with the media, many are in favour of this commission. However, many are against it considering whether there is a need for a commission for the problems and obstacles against free media. Many are wondering whether the commission will bring more regulation. Whether or not it will cause more disruption. Many people have that fear. We might be able to come up with an outline by bringing all the stakeholders together in one place."
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The information adviser also said that the interim government wants to establish a Media Commission based on the overall democratic aspirations. He said the government wants to see the laws as guidelines rather than regulations.
Nurul Kabir, the editor of the national daily New Age, pointed out the close relationship between journalism and politics, alleging that government advertising is used to control pro-democracy journalism.
He urged the government to reform undemocratic state laws and regulations to create a favourable environment for the media.
He said, "A new Bangladesh is on its way to becoming a possibility, an opportunity that has come again after many years through a pro-democracy student uprising. A new desire has been created."
In the seminar, Fahmidul Haque, a former teacher at Dhaka University and currently a faculty member at Bard College, said that communication policy should be introduced not to control but to help the media sector.
"Past governments have enacted many policies and laws for the media sector, but all out of a desire to control. Therefore, regulatory clauses from all existing policies/laws need to be refined as much as possible so that the media can function independently," he added.
Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna TV, said that the fear that the government can shut down any television at any time is a great tool of control. Mentioning that there are media commissions in developed countries, he said that there is an opportunity to create such a strong media commission in Bangladesh.
Recently, a five-member search committee was formed under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The convener, Al Amin Raqib Tanay, said that the committee could not find qualified people to form a committee for the development and reform of the film industry. At this time, Fahmidul Haque proposed several names.
Earlier on 18 September, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced that the government is actively considering the formation of a media commission to ensure that the media can operate freely and without hindrance.
During that time, he emphasised that the government is committed to supporting the swift investigation and trial of five high-profile murder cases, including the killings of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
