Based on the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken several reform initiatives, according to a press release sent by the ministry on Thursday.
It said, several meetings have been held in the ministry to implement media reform activities. Issues related to the implementation of reform activities were reviewed in these meetings.
In light of the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, a decision has been taken to formulate an ordinance related to the protection of journalistic rights. This ordinance will be issued in a short time after holding discussions with the relevant stakeholders. It has been decided to form a task force to reform the circulation audit system of newspapers. In addition, the advertisement rate of newspapers will be increased to a reasonable level.
As per the recommendations of the commission, a decision has been taken to conduct an annual survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to verify the expectations and achievements of listeners, viewers and readers about the media. In addition, a decision will be taken in consultation with the Bangladesh Competition Commission on whether there is any collusion and anti-competitive practices in the advertising industry.
It further said, the security fee against FM radio licenses will be reduced to a reasonable level. In addition, radio authorities will have to pay a fee at a prescribed rate for advertising on FM radio. It has been decided to cancel the 2% government fee deducted from the income from advertising. However, government announcements will have to be broadcast free of charge.
A decision will be taken in consultation with the National Board of Revenue to waive advance tax on the honorarium of columnists, contributors, artists and guest presenters or discussants of the media. In light of the commission's recommendations, a preliminary decision has been taken to remove the obligation to use Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) for up-link and down-link of television channels. A final decision in this regard will be taken after discussing with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited. In addition, necessary steps will be taken to modernize the curricula of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) and the National Media Institute and to increase the capacity of the two institutions. A preliminary decision has also been taken to establish a BCS Information Academy for training information service officers.
