Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Thursday said stakeholders reached consensus on two key issues at a high-level workshop on formulating the framework for a national media commission.
Speaking to journalists after the workshop at a city hotel, he said all participants agreed on establishing an independent media commission and on using the interim government’s Media Reforms Commission report as one of the main foundations for future reform initiatives.
Zahed said discussions covered the proposed commission’s structure, scope of work and jurisdiction, adding that consultations on these issues would continue.
Clarifying the role of the interim government’s report, he said it would not be adopted in its entirety.
“Since the commission worked extensively and consulted a wide range of stakeholders to produce a comprehensive report, we will move forward by giving that report the highest level of consideration. Consensus was also reached on this matter today,” he said.
Beyond the two major decisions, stakeholders also discussed a range of issues aimed at making the media environment more independent and freer, he added.
The workshop was attended by representatives of the National Editors Council, Editors’ Council, Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Television Editors Council, Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO), National Media Watch Council, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Broadcast Journalists Center (BJC), Photo Journalists Association, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, as well as television owners, editors, representatives of private organizations and media experts.