Media Commission Will Be Based on Democratic Aspirations: Advisor
The Bangladesh government is taking steps to form a reform commission to address and resolve various restrictive laws concerning print, electronic, and social media, according to Information Advisor Nahid Islam. He made this announcement during a virtual seminar organized by the "Bangladeshi Communication Scholars in North America" on Sunday night (September 29) to discuss media and communication policy reforms for a new Bangladesh.
In his remarks, the advisor acknowledged the conflicting views among different media-related groups regarding the formation of a commission. “While some are in favor of the commission, others are against it, fearing that it may introduce more control over free media. However, we are working to bring all stakeholders together to create a framework,” said Islam.
He emphasized that the interim government aims to form the media commission based on democratic aspirations. The commission's purpose would not be to impose control but to serve as a guideline, he added.
The seminar was attended by Bangladeshi academics based in the U.S. and prominent figures in journalism. Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age, discussed the close relationship between journalism and politics, stating, "A new Bangladesh has not yet emerged, but there is hope for its creation through the recent pro-democracy student movements."
Kabir also criticized the use of government advertising to control journalism and called on the government to reform undemocratic laws and regulations to create a favorable environment for media.
Fahmidul Haq, a former Dhaka University professor and current faculty member at Bard College, emphasized the need for communication policies that support, rather than control, the media sector. He highlighted that many of the existing media laws were created with the intent to control, and called for the removal of these restrictive elements to allow the media to operate independently.
Dr. Anis Rahman of Washington University noted that many television channel licenses in Bangladesh were granted based on political considerations. He pointed out three main challenges facing electronic media: ownership issues, financial instability, and maintaining journalistic standards. Rahman recommended that any new commission be as inclusive as possible.
Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna TV, highlighted the fear that the government can shut down any television channel at any time, which serves as a major tool of control. He remarked that developed countries have media commissions, and that Bangladesh now has an opportunity to establish a strong media commission.
Dr. Mohammad Ala-Uddin of St. Mary's College cited Nepal as an example of a South Asian country promoting independent journalism. He stressed the importance of ensuring representation for all sections of society in the media to build an inclusive and tolerant society. Additionally, he called for guidelines in media policy that would secure regular salaries and job protections for journalists, ensuring sustainable media institutions.
Media expert Mir Ashfaquzzaman discussed various aspects of media ethics and policy, emphasizing the need for dialogue with working journalists to understand their professional struggles and challenges.
The seminar concluded with remarks from Al Amin Rakib Tanoy, Convener of the Search Committee under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who noted that the committee is struggling to find qualified individuals to lead efforts for the development and reform of the film industry. Fahmidul Haq proposed several names for consideration.
Dr. Khairul Islam of the State University of New York at Oswego introduced the BCSNA platform and its activities, while Dr. Jamal Uddin of Cornell University moderated the event, stating that BCSNA is ready to assist in the reform process in any capacity.
