Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that the government will ensure a fully consultative and transparent process in forming a media commission and will not take any unilateral decision in this regard.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Learning and Exchange from Policy Reform to Newsroom Practices,” organised by BBC Media Action with support from UK International Development at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday, the minister said the proposed commission would be shaped through dialogue with all relevant stakeholders.
He said existing proposals, discussions and documents related to media and information reform would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final framework. A consultative committee will also be formed to consolidate previous recommendations before further engagement with media organisations and development partners.
Zahir Uddin Swapon noted that recent discussions between senior representatives of newspaper owners’ associations, the Editors’ Council and the head of government had been productive, adding that the reform process would build on all past initiatives rather than discarding them.
He emphasised that no prior positive work or reform proposal would be excluded from consideration, saying these would form the foundation for future policy direction.
Referring to global practices, the minister said many countries operate successful media commissions and described the media as the “fourth pillar of the state,” stressing its importance in democratic governance.
He added that the government’s role would remain that of a facilitator to ensure a free flow of information, while the media sector itself is a shared space involving all stakeholders.
Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman also took part in the discussion.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke and former Media Reform Commission head Kamal Ahmed were also present at that time.
