Government Drafting New Policy for Online News Portals
The government is preparing a new policy framework to regulate the registration and operation of online news portals, aiming to strengthen accountability, transparency, and professional standards in the country’s rapidly expanding digital media landscape.
The announcement was made by State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury while responding to a starred question from Mustafizur Rahman Babul, Member of Parliament from Jamalpur-3, during the first budget session of the 13th National Parliament on Sunday.
According to the minister, the rapid growth of digital journalism and online news platforms has created the need for a more effective and structured regulatory framework. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is therefore working on a new policy to streamline the registration and operational procedures of online news portals.
He said a clear policy framework is necessary to ensure responsible news publishing, editorial accountability, operational transparency, and adherence to professional journalistic standards in the digital media sector.
The minister also disclosed that the government is reviewing the inclusion of district-level newspapers with weak publication records in the list maintained by the Department of Films and Publications (DFP). Authorities are examining whether these publications were enlisted following the proper procedures and regulatory requirements.
“We are verifying whether the newspapers in question were enlisted in accordance with the established rules and regulations. Appropriate action will be taken against any individual or organization found to have been involved in irregularities,” Yaser Khan Chowdhury told Parliament.
During the same session, Lutfur Rahman, MP from Cox’s Bazar-3, raised concerns about the growing spread of inaccurate, misleading, and unverified information across media outlets and digital platforms.
Media analysts believe the proposed policy may focus on issues such as online media registration, ownership transparency, editorial responsibility, fact-checking mechanisms, content standards, and institutional accountability. The framework is also expected to strengthen efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, and disinformation through improved monitoring systems and technology-driven regulatory measures.
However, stakeholders emphasize that while enhancing accountability, the policy should also safeguard press freedom, freedom of expression, and the continued growth of digital journalism. They argue that maintaining a balance between regulation and media independence will be crucial to the policy’s success.
//DBTech/BT/MUIM//
