Dhaka: The head of the Media Reform Commission has sought opinions from editors on how to work in the interest of the people by freeing them from political influence regarding the independence of newspapers, television, radio and online portals related to the media.
The head of the Commission made this call at a meeting of the Media Reform Commission with the President and members of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at the Information Building on Circuit House Road in the capital on Tuesday (December 10).
He said that the anger that has arisen due to the failure and controversial role of the media in the past movement. Against this backdrop, he called for opinions on how the media can be used in the interest of the people.
At the meeting, Daily Star Publisher Mahfuz Anam said, "We do not have an environment for media freedom due to the legal framework and environment of the media."
Prothom Alo Publisher Matiur Rahman said, "Newspapers around the world are no longer newspapers. In the era of digital media, printed newspapers have already become a sick industry." Circulation and advertising revenue have decreased drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governments of the past 15 years and earlier have tried to control newspapers. He expressed his opinion that no previous government could provide freedom to the press. Journalists could not work independently. However, the previous government saw newspapers as enemies.
Shahidullah Khan, publisher of New Age, said that it is necessary to think about whether there is a need to keep a media registration system for newspapers. The Press Council needs to be modernized and it should be freed from the control of the executive branch.
Hanif Mahmud, publisher of Dainik Banik Barta, said that it is necessary to ensure that the Media Reform Commission is not used by any other vested group. Due to being under government control, many editors are now facing cases, absconding, and their accreditation cards have been canceled.
Altamas Kabir, publisher of Dainik Sangbad, said that independent journalism is possible despite political bias and it must be ensured.
Masrur Reza, publisher of Dainik Financial Herald, said that there has been misuse of power in the management of publishing newspapers and granting permissions. He called on the commission to make specific recommendations to stop it in the future.
NOAB President and Samakal Publisher AK Azad said, as publishers, we have also had to accept threats and losses. He said, while incentives were given to all industrial institutions during the Corona period, no incentives were given to newspapers. He expressed hope that the commission would make specific recommendations for the independence of editors.
The commission head said that the commission has no opportunity to be influenced by any vested interest. The commission will prepare its recommendations based on the specific opinions of the stakeholders. The commission will also take the opinions of all quarters in formulating the autonomy policy of state institutions Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
The meeting of the Media Reform Commission was attended by commission members Professor Geetiara Nasreen, Shamsul Haque Zahid, Akhtar Hossain Khan, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Fahim Ahmed, Jimmy Amir, Mostafa Sabuj, Titu Dutta Gupta, Abdullah Al Mamun and Begum Kamrunnesa Hasan.