Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has announced that the government will move quickly to implement reforms in the media sector, stressing the need to convert commitments into visible outcomes.
Speaking at a discussion titled “Bangladesh Reform Tracker: Relevance of Media” held at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday, the minister said the time has come to shift from dialogue to action through coordinated efforts involving all stakeholders.
The event was jointly organised by the ERF and the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh. It was attended by prominent media professionals, policymakers and development experts, including Citizen’s Platform Convener Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya. ERF President Doulot Akter Mala presided over the session.
Outlining priority areas, Zahir Uddin Swapon said the government is focusing on restructuring the Media Reform Commission, enhancing protections for journalists, improving welfare measures, and formulating updated media policies. He noted that a revised framework - potentially inspired by international models such as that of the United Kingdom - is under consideration to ensure greater accountability and fairness.
The minister also said initiatives are underway to address long-standing concerns, including retirement benefits, pension systems and age limits for media professionals.
He emphasised the importance of establishing a transparent advertisement policy and ensuring accuracy in newspaper circulation data.
According to Zahir Uddin Swapon, discussions have already begun with key stakeholders, including the Editors’ Council, television channel owners and representatives of digital media platforms, to build consensus on reform measures.
He acknowledged that the nature of information dissemination has evolved significantly with the rise of artificial intelligence and global information dynamics, underscoring the need for modernised policy responses.
Referring to the political developments of August 2024, the minister said the government has drawn lessons from past experiences and now views journalistic scrutiny and investigative reporting as essential to good governance.
He also proposed integrating reform-tracking mechanisms into official decision-making processes to ensure transparency and accountability.
During the event, an MoU was signed between the ERF and the Citizen’s Platform to collaborate on the “Bangladesh Reform Tracker,” aimed at systematically monitoring reform progress.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya highlighted complementary initiatives such as an “Electoral Manifesto Watch” to assess the real-world impact of policy commitments.
He stressed the importance of bridging citizens, media and the business community, while also addressing challenges faced by journalists outside Dhaka.
The programme concluded with a shared commitment to fostering a more transparent, accountable, and enabling environment for the media sector.
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