Govt moves to form Media Commission
The government is not seeking to control the media, but rather aims to ensure a fair, independent and structured media environment through institutional reforms, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the International Cable TV, Broadcasting and Communication Expo 2026 held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka on Thursday, the minister said the time has come to establish an independent and consensus-based Media Commission to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders in the sector.
“In the modern world, no state can remain outside the flow of information and accountability. A strong and independent media commission is now a necessity,” he said.
The three-day expo was organised by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).
The minister said the present government came to office through a transparent election and remains accountable to the people. “We understand that the influence of communication and digital platforms is now so strong that full control by the state is neither possible nor desirable,” he added.
Describing the government’s approach, Swapon said it intends to act as a facilitator rather than an authority imposing directives on the media ecosystem. He added that in many countries, such matters are handled through independent commissions instead of ministries, and Bangladesh is also moving in that direction.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the minister noted that the government is working on a three-phase plan involving joint studies, digital data collection, and formulation of a new media roadmap. He said this will help ensure transparency in advertisement rates and revenue distribution.
He also pointed out the lack of reliable data on newspaper circulation and television viewership, saying policy decisions cannot be effective without accurate information.
Addressing concerns over digital safety, Swapon warned that technological advancement has put personal privacy at risk and stressed the need for global cooperation and a unified framework to manage the digital space.
He urged stakeholders to invest in knowledge and research to better understand the evolving media landscape.
COAB President A B M Saiful Hossain Sohel chaired the event, while ATCO President Anjan Chowdhury Pintu and other senior media industry leaders, including COAB General Secretary Syed Mosharraf Ali Chanchal and Expo Convener Nizam Uddin Masud, were also present.
