As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day this May 3, Bangladesh stands, as it does every year, in a paradoxical position within a turbulent global landscape.
Since the early 1990s, this day has highlighted the importance of independent media, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists. It serves as a vital reminder to all stakeholders to uphold commitments to press freedom and offers a moment for the media fraternity to reflect on ethics, quality, and public trust.
Bangladesh’s media landscape is, on paper at least, arguably one of the most vibrant in the world -- especially in terms of the sheer, often unregulated, mushrooming growth of media outlets.
Yet, it is heartbreaking that a country allowing such unbridled media proliferation fares so poorly in global press freedom rankings.
Year after year, the industry grows in number while remaining near the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index.
This paradox highlights that numerical vibrancy does not guarantee quality journalism, nor does it reflect the State’s attitude toward the media.
For too long, the public institutions mandated to license, advertise in, and facilitate the media, have failed to follow the "rules of the game."
Industry insiders frequently complain that media licenses are awarded based on "right connections" rather than merit. Consequently, countless "name-only" outlets drain state advertising revenue, leaving quality journalism struggling to survive.
Systemic corruption, undue political influence, and weak oversight have created a fractured media ecosystem where bad journalism often drives out the good.
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), managed by the Department of Film and Publication (DFP), is meant to ensure transparency by auditing distribution and sales. However, a 2025 government-formed commission uncovered extensive fraud within ABC reports.
While state repression and regressive laws are part of the problem, a larger issue is the media's inability to thrive within a financially sustainable ecosystem -- one that rewards quality journalism over unprofessionalism.
Why, for instance, does the bulk of taxpayers’ money still flow toward state-run media outlets through government advertisements? These entities have long operated more as mouthpieces for the party in power than as public service agents.
The interim government that followed the July 2024 Revolution offered hope that the media landscape, long under severe pressure, would see better days. However, reform is not something that will happen organically.
While a re-examination of media autonomy was initiated, it echoed failed, half-hearted efforts of the past. A crucial 1997 report detailing a roadmap for independent, professional state-run media under a national broadcast commission has languished in government files for decades.
To rebuild public trust, institutions must "go by the books." Media licensing must be based on merit and strict criteria, not political connections or sheer financial muscle.
The State’s practice of doling out public advertisement revenues to undeserving, low-circulation outlets must also end. Public advertising, tenders, and supplements should be placed with reputed, widely circulated news brands based on due diligence, not arbitrary decisions.
If quality news outlets can become financially viable, they can uphold the public’s right to information.
Currently, the challenges are manifold: There exists a serious condition of economic distress. Too many journalists in Bangladesh suffer from low salaries and poor financial benefits, with a decade-old pay structure that does not reflect the current cost of living.
Journalists and media houses face physical attacks and intimidation. Just late last year, offices of major dailies like The Daily Star and Prothom Alo endured arson attacks by mobs with complete impunity.
The UN Secretary-General aptly noted that while truth is the first casualty of war, the first casualties are often the journalists who risk everything to report it.
Globally, 85% of crimes against journalists go unpunished -- an unacceptable level of impunity.
In Bangladesh, despite the repeal of the Digital Security Act, its replacement contains vaguely defined provisions that continue to threaten media freedom.
The previous administration shelved its own commission’s report for a year, failing to act on key recommendations and leaving the future of reforms in limbo. It remains to be seen how the new government will approach media reform.
The Press Council in Bangladesh has also failed to meet international standards. Aggrieved parties rarely trust the institution, opting to take grievances directly to the courts.
We must either hold the Council accountable or dismantle it in favour of a functional alternative. Editorial institutions must also step up, establishing industry-wide ethical protocols and a culture of self-regulation through an ombudsman.
Shifting toward reader-funded or subscription models is often suggested, but this is difficult in an economy where many media outlets stand accused of functioning as extensions of "crony capitalism."
Moreover, in the age of AI and social media, consumers are flooded with information that is not necessarily factual. The government must invest heavily in nationwide media literacy programs to help citizens decipher truth from well-packaged lies.
Economic pressures, technological shifts, and the concentration of media ownership among business conglomerates -- who often use platforms for commercial gain rather than the public good -- also put press freedom under unprecedented strain.
As we count down to this day, the need for a truly independent, ethical, and sustainable media in Bangladesh is more urgent than ever.
Reaz Ahmad is Editor, Dhaka Tribune.
