Govt moves to regulate media amid ‘chaos’
The government is moving towards establishing a structured regulatory framework for the media sector to address what officials describe as growing disorder and misuse of journalism, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a programme at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), where insurance claim cheques were handed over to families of deceased journalists, Swapon said the media landscape is currently facing “anarchic conditions,” though discussions among stakeholders are helping build consensus on reforms.
He said consultations are ongoing with media owners, editors, television stakeholders and journalists as part of efforts led by the Information Ministry to bring order to the sector.
The minister raised concerns that some individuals are engaging in unethical practices under the label of journalism, which he said is damaging the credibility of professional journalists.
He stressed the need to clearly define who qualifies as a journalist, suggesting the creation of an official certification mechanism supported by a proper database of media workers.
According to him, such a system would help ensure job security, fair distribution of government advertisements and incentives, and protection from misuse by media owners or other groups.
Swapon said the proposed reforms aim to create a balanced system where the government, media owners and journalists operate independently but remain accountable under institutional rules.
He added that a commission-based regulatory structure is being considered so that no party can dominate or exploit another within the media sector.
The minister also said strengthening institutions and ensuring legal compliance in service delivery are key priorities of a democratic government, which must work beyond election cycles to meet public expectations.
He further called on journalists to support accountability reforms, saying they would ultimately strengthen professional standards and public trust in the media.
