Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Wednesday said the government is working to formulate a clear policy and code of conduct for journalism as online and digital media expand rapidly.
He made the remarks to reporters after a session of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the final day of the four-day Deputy Commissioners’ conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
Zahed said the government is moving to prepare a policy and regulatory framework to ensure professional standards and accountability in journalism under the current digital reality.
Responding to a question on alleged political pressure in the supply of information to journalists, he said political influence was not discussed with deputy commissioners. The discussions mainly focused on the expansion of digital media and emerging challenges, he added.
“Online-based media can now be launched very easily. There is a lack of policy there. Deputy commissioners have expressed the expectation that there should be specific standards and a code of conduct for becoming a journalist so that both the administration and the media can carry out their responsibilities at the field level more easily. For this reason, the Information Ministry is working on preparing a policy and code of conduct for journalism, and steps will be taken to implement it quickly,” he said.
On government transparency, the adviser said the present government is democratically elected and wants to maintain democratic continuity. He said he expects the administration to move away from a tendency to withhold information.
“The tendency to conceal information that was seen earlier, logic says this government will not go that way,” he added.
On journalists’ access to information, he said the long-inactive Information Commission will be reconstituted soon and allowed to function independently to address complaints and issues related to access to information.
He also outlined plans to curb rumours and misinformation, saying a project has been undertaken to strengthen fact-checking activities, including coordination of district-level information infrastructure.
Zahed said training will be provided to align the government’s information service structure at the district level with the evolving digital environment, while capacity gaps will be addressed through skill development.
He added that stronger coordination among the administration, media, and stakeholders would ensure a more open and effective flow of information in the country.
