UN to review AL era media record
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced on Saturday that the government is preparing to request a United Nations-supervised investigation into media practices during the 15-year rule of the former Awami League government – potentially marking the first international inquiry into Bangladesh’s press environment.
Speaking as the chief guest at a report review event hosted by the Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) at the Daily Star Bhaban in Dhaka, Shafiqul stated that a formal letter is being drafted to invite the UN to send independent experts to assess the state of journalism during the previous administration.
“We are preparing a letter requesting an investigation under United Nations supervision into journalism over the past 15 years,” he said. “We are asking them to send external experts to examine the nature of media practices during that time.”
His comments come amid increasing calls for structural reform of media institutions following a change in political leadership. Allegations of political repression, electoral manipulation, and the suppression of dissent under the previous government have prompted demands for greater transparency and accountability in the media sector.
Shafiqul also advocated for improved working conditions for journalists, urging the establishment of a minimum salary of Tk 30,000 for those employed in electronic media – a demand long echoed by industry professionals.
While acknowledging that journalists may hold political views, he emphasised the need to distinguish between legitimate reporting and the spread of misinformation.
Referencing the broader political backdrop, he cited three controversial elections and alleged human rights violations – including enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings – during the Awami League’s tenure.
He also pointed to opposition claims that as many as six million politically motivated cases were filed against BNP leaders and supporters. “We must now ask: how much of this was accurately reported in the media?” he said.
The press secretary added that while many journalists faced harassment under the former administration, the current interim government has taken steps to restore press freedom. “In the past 11 months, the interim administration has worked to ensure a freer media landscape where journalism can be practised without interference,” he said.
Key reforms highlighted include the repeal of the contentious Digital Security Act and the introduction of new legislation to protect journalists from intimidation by state agencies. “At present, the media operates independently, and the government is not interfering in its work,” he claimed.
However, he cautioned against the misuse of media platforms to spread disinformation, warning that such practices undermine public trust and damage democratic processes. “We welcome criticism,” he noted, “but spreading falsehoods in the name of journalism is unacceptable.”
Leaders of the BJC also put forward a set of reform proposals, including the creation of an independent commission for broadcast media, minimum educational requirements for journalists, and a structured pay scale for the profession.
If approved, the proposed UN-supervised investigation would be the first of its kind to scrutinise journalism in politically polarised Bangladesh, potentially setting a new benchmark for media accountability and credibility in the post-Awami League era.