Staff Reporter :
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Sunday announced that the government is considering introducing a law aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of journalists in Bangladesh.
“Accountability is essential for protecting the interests of journalists,” said Adviser Mahfuj while addressing a discussion titled “Brave New Bangladesh: Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom”, held at the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) office in Dhanmondi. The event was jointly organized by UNESCO Dhaka Office, TIB, and the Embassy of Sweden, reports UNB.
Outlining broader media reforms, the adviser revealed that the government is exploring the merger of three major public media outlets—Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar, and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)—with the aim of ensuring autonomy for public broadcasting.
“We want to introduce a journalist safety law,” Mahfuj said. “We also aim to empower media professionals to ask critical questions while also accepting accountability themselves.”
He stressed the need for policy reforms such as reassessing media licenses, updating the list of registered outlets, and adjusting advertisement rates in line with inflation.
Mahfuj also raised concerns over irregularities in media taxation, stating that “except for one or two outlets, most do not pay taxes and operate based on political arrangements.”
The adviser further highlighted plans to form an Information Commission and finalise the long-pending broadcast policy. He advocated for the establishment of a journalists’ code of conduct and political consensus to ensure true media freedom.
“We can enact ten good laws, but without commitment from political leadership, they won’t serve their purpose,” he cautioned.
Speaking on the proliferation of local newspapers, Mahfuj said, “We don’t need 30 to 40 newspapers in a single area. We want to initiate dialogue to define standard practices and ensure protection for local journalists.”
Sharing his personal interest in journalism, he added, “I once aspired to be a journalist. We want to adopt all possible positive approaches for the development of this sector.”
The discussion was also attended by Kamal Ahmed, Chief of the Media Reform Commission, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, and Head of the UNESCO Dhaka Office Dr. Susan Vize. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman moderated the session.
