The government has formally requested assistance from the United Nations to carry out an independent reassessment of journalism in Bangladesh over the past 15 years, said Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government.
Speaking as the chief guest at a roundtable organized by the Broadcast Journalists’ Centre (BJC) on Saturday morning at the Daily Star Centre in Tejgaon, he emphasized the need to review the nature of journalism under previous governments and acknowledged that the interim administration had initiated core reforms to protect press freedom.
“Journalism was under political control in the past. We want to understand what kind of journalism prevailed over the last decade and a half,” said Shafiqul Alam.
“For that, we are seeking the UN’s help to conduct a comprehensive investigation,” he added.
The event focused on reviewing the long-awaited recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, submitted four months ago to the chief adviser. Senior journalists, editors, and broadcasters who attended the program voiced frustration over the lack of progress in implementing the commission’s proposals.
He emphasized that the government wants to investigate how journalism was practiced over the past 15 years under UN supervision.
He added that no agency should be able to threaten journalists anymore, and that the government is ensuring minimal interference in media operations.
Political bias, threats, and murder cases
Journalists alleged that media licenses during past regimes were often awarded based on political affiliation and that news outlets were at times forced to serve partisan interests.
Many speakers also raised concerns about intimidation tactics, including the filing of murder cases against journalists, calling such actions a clear threat to press freedom.
Several attendees demanded a transparent, depoliticized licensing process and a reform of media business policies to ensure editorial independence.
In his speech, the press secretary also supported calls for a fairer wage structure in journalism, suggesting that the starting monthly salary for journalists should be no less than Tk30,000.
The BJC urged the formation of a dedicated commission for broadcast media, enforcement of a minimum educational qualification for journalists, and the introduction of a separate, legally mandated pay scale.
The group also questioned why, despite the passage of several months, there had been no significant movement on implementing the Media Reform Commission’s findings.
Media now operates freely
Shafiqul claimed the current government had taken steps to prevent any agency from threatening the press and asserted that the media now operates independently with minimal government interference.
“The interim government is actively working to protect free journalism. We’re making sure no external force can intimidate the media,” he said.
The event concluded with a renewed call for the immediate implementation of reform recommendations and for continued vigilance to safeguard press freedom during the ongoing transition period.
