The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus cancelled the accreditation cards of 168 journalists working across various media houses in three phases, following the political transition on August 5, 2024.
After the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12, 2026, the government led by Tarique Rahman provided an opportunity for the affected journalists to appeal for the reinstatement of their cancelled accreditation cards.
To facilitate the process, an appeal board was formed, headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In line with government directives, most of the journalists whose accreditation cards had been revoked submitted appeals to the board.
However, the appeal board has yet to issue any decisions, leaving the professional status and ability to work of the 168 journalists in uncertainty, sources concerned said.
PID circular cancels accreditation cards of 168 journalists
The Press Information Department (PID) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cancelled the press accreditation cards of 168 journalists in three phases through separate circulars issued in 2024, sources said.
According to the circulars, the cancellations were carried out on October 28, November 3 and November 7, affecting 20, 30 and 118 journalists respectively.
Separate orders signed by the then Principal Information Officer, Md Nizamul Kabir, stated that the cards were revoked in line with Clauses 6.9, 6.10, 9.5 and 9.6 of the Press Accreditation Policy 2022.
Those affected include journalists serving in various capacities such as editors, associate editors, executive editors and heads of news at television channels.
Several of the journalists later faced criminal cases filed at different police stations over various allegations. However, inquiries show that charge sheets in those cases have yet to be submitted.
Although the cards were cancelled under the Press Accreditation Policy 2024, appeals by the affected journalists will be settled under the Press Accreditation Policy 2025, which sources say has simplified the process for reissuing cancelled accreditation cards.
Sources said the Press Accreditation Committee, formed during the tenure of the government led by Professor Yunus, had recommended that the cancelled cards should not be reinstated without proper verification.
The current government has therefore formed an appeal board to review the cases of journalists seeking reinstatement.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan said the government aims to make the PID-issued accreditation card system more disciplined and policy-based, ensuring journalists’ unrestricted access to the Secretariat while preventing misuse.
He said the ministry is currently verifying nominations from media houses and preparing a comprehensive database of accredited journalists.
“After consulting journalists, a more structured system will be introduced for Secretariat access through media house-based accreditation cards. Existing policies will be strictly followed when issuing the cards, and a final decision will be taken after discussions with media representatives,” the minister said.
He added that the government will update the list of genuine journalists to prevent extortion or misuse of journalistic identity.
“If any journalist has been unfairly excluded from receiving an accreditation card, necessary steps will be taken to issue the card in accordance with the policy. We want to proceed in an institutional manner,” he said.
Press Accreditation Appeal Committee
Under the Press Accreditation Policy 2025, a seven-member Press Accreditation Appeal Committee has been formed to hear appeals from journalists seeking accreditation cards for access to the Secretariat.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mahbuba Farzana will chair the committee, while Additional Chief Information Officer of PID Mohammad Yakub Ali, currently performing the routine duties of the Chief Information Officer, will serve as member secretary.
The other members include representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, journalist leaders and other nominated individuals. The committee will make final decisions in accordance with the Press Accreditation Policy 2025.
Clause 6.9 of the Press Accreditation Policy 2022, signed by the then Information Ministry Secretary Md Makbul Hossain, states that if an accredited journalist violates any state law, rule or policy, the Press Accreditation Committee may take administrative action in line with existing laws and regulations.
In cases of serious violations, the Principal Information Officer may immediately cancel the journalist’s accreditation card, though such decisions must later be placed before the Press Accreditation Committee.
Under Clause 6.10 of the policy, if a criminal case is filed against a journalist holding a press accreditation card on allegations of publishing false, harassing, seditious, or communal harmony–disrupting news, and a charge sheet is subsequently submitted, the Press Accreditation Committee may temporarily suspend the journalist’s accreditation card. If the journalist is later found guilty, the committee may cancel the card.
Clause 9.5 of the Press Accreditation Policy 2022 states that if a journalist or media worker holding a press accreditation card violates the “Code of Conduct” formulated by the Bangladesh Press Council or any provision of the government-approved Press Accreditation Policy, the accreditation card will be automatically cancelled. In such cases, the Press Information Department (PID) will immediately issue the cancellation order.
According to Clause 9.6 of the policy, the Principal Information Officer has the authority to suspend or cancel a press accreditation card if any provision of the policy is violated or for any other reasonable cause.
Sources said that among the 168 journalists whose accreditation cards were cancelled, a few have criminal cases filed against them at different police stations, while most reportedly have no criminal or other cases in their names. Although the notices issued regarding the cancellations cited relevant clauses of the Press Accreditation Policy 2022, they did not clearly specify the allegations against the journalists.
It is also learned that the new policy includes a provision stating that an accreditation card cannot be cancelled until a final charge sheet is submitted in a criminal case.
When contacted, Shahidul Islam, president of the Dhaka Union of Journalists and a member of the Press Accreditation Appeal Board, said that applications approved by the appeal board would be sent directly to the PID, which would then issue new cards. However, he added that the appeal committee has not yet held any meeting.
Meanwhile, Additional Principal Information Officer and member secretary of the appeal board Mohammad Yakub Ali who is currently performing the routine duties of the Principal Information Officer, said he was not aware of any meeting of the appeal committee so far. “After verification at the committee meeting, the cancelled cards that receive approval will be reissued soon,” he said.
