Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that many of the challenges facing Bangladesh’s media sector could be resolved if professionalism is ensured across the industry.
Speaking at a view-exchange meeting with a delegation from the Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday, the minister emphasised the need for accuracy, responsibility and ethical standards in journalism.
He said the government is committed to ensuring the flow of free and accurate information to citizens while also safeguarding the public from misinformation.
According to him, strengthening professionalism in media practice would automatically help address several existing structural and operational issues.
During the meeting, the BJC delegation presented a PowerPoint highlighting key challenges and opportunities within Bangladesh’s electronic media sector, including technological gaps and regulatory concerns.
The minister noted that while existing policy frameworks are largely “analogue in nature,” the media environment has rapidly shifted toward digital platforms.
He stressed that policies must be updated to match the pace of technological change. He further stated that the government aims to act as a facilitator rather than imposing restrictive measures on the sector.
Swapon also announced plans to form a “Mass Media Commission” after consulting all relevant stakeholders. He said the commission would aim to develop long-term and sustainable solutions to issues affecting the media industry.
He underscored the importance of building consensus among journalists, media owners and policymakers to ensure effective reforms.
Representatives from the BJC, including its Chairman Fahim Ahmed, Member Secretary Ilias Hossain, and trustees Rejoanul Haque, Talat Mamun and Nur Safa Zulhaj, attended the meeting. They called for greater digitalisation of broadcast media, stronger protection of journalists’ rights, and reforms in policy and technical frameworks.
The minister assured the delegation that their proposals and recommendations would be carefully considered by the government as part of ongoing media sector reforms.
