New media policy, commission coming by July-August: Info Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Tuesday said a new time-befitting media policy and a media commission will be formed by July-August to safeguard the interests of journalists, media owners and employees while ensuring accountability in the sector.

He made the remarks at a weekly press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat.

The minister said the proposed media commission will also work to bring unethical journalism and attempts to create disorder in the media sector under a proper legal framework.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Additional Secretary Md Yasin and Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed were present at the briefing.

Zahir Uddin Swapon said the government is working to establish a structured legal framework to resolve disputes between journalists and media owners, adding that both protecting journalists’ rights and ensuring the sustainability of media organisations are state responsibilities.

He said discussions with the Editors’ Council included issues such as false cases filed against journalists and concerns over unethical reporting practices. According to him, the absence of specific legal provisions often leads aggrieved parties to seek remedies under different laws, creating legal complications.

The minister added that the proposed media commission would help address such gaps by creating a clearer regulatory framework for the sector.

Referring to Cabinet decisions, Swapon also said the government has taken a policy initiative to encourage the import of environmentally friendly electric buses in the country.

He said arrangements are being made to allow educational institutions to import electric buses with duty-free facilities, which would reduce the need for multiple private vehicles and help ease traffic congestion and pollution.

The minister further said work is underway to define a policy on the number of seat-capacity buses eligible for duty-free import for public transport purposes.

Responding to a question, he also remarked that issues related to the role of media during the Liberation War of 1971 should be addressed within a proper legal framework through the proposed commission, in consultation with stakeholders.