The government has reiterated its commitment to building a strong, independent and vibrant media landscape in Bangladesh, saying it does not seek conflict with the press but aims to ensure an enabling environment for journalism.
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman made the remarks at a dialogue held at the MIDAS Centre in Dhaka on Sunday, marking the World Press Freedom Day. The event was jointly organised by UNESCO Bangladesh and Transparency International Bangladesh.
He said the government views media freedom as a key pillar of a democratic system and welcomes constructive criticism from journalists.
According to him, open scrutiny of government actions helps improve governance and strengthens accountability.
“The government does not want any hostility with the media. Rather, it is working to rebuild a strong, independent and vibrant media system in the country,” he said, adding that Bangladesh is expected to perform better in terms of press freedom in the future.
Dr Zahed also spoke about plans to reform state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV), saying discussions have already taken place with the Prime Minister regarding the broadcaster’s future direction. “We expect a different kind of BTV,” he noted.
Emphasising the importance of media literacy, he said efforts are underway to introduce it at the school level. The Ministry of Education is working on the initiative in collaboration with NGOs so that media literacy programmes can reach students across the country, including rural areas.
He also raised concerns over the spread of misinformation through both social and mainstream media, particularly via photo cards, and said he himself had been a victim of false reporting.
Regarding proposals for minimum academic qualifications for journalists, he said the government may introduce a policy, but it will not be mandatory or imposed. He acknowledged that many respected journalists have built successful careers without formal journalism degrees.
He further said the government will soon engage with the Media Reforms Commission and work to implement feasible recommendations to improve the sector.
