Information and broadcasting minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Monday said that establishing an independent and responsible media commission based on an objective perspective was essential in the present context.
The commission would identify problems prevailing in every sector of the media and show ways to address them, he said, adding that alongside ensuring media freedom, it would also define the boundaries of responsibility.
The minister made the remarks while addressing as chief guest at a seminar titled Remembering the Black Day of Newspaper Closure under BKSAL Rule and Media Failure in Confronting Fascism, organised by the National Editors Council at the DFP conference room of Information Building in Dhaka.
‘Whenever media freedom is discussed, the coexistence of diverse opinions naturally comes into consideration. Likewise, when media responsibility is discussed, the issue of accountability also emerges,’ he said.
‘If we fail to stand on an objective outlook, it will not be possible in future to establish an independent and responsible media commission,’ he noted.
Referring to past experiences, the minister said, ‘As a newspaper reader, it appeared to me that all previous initiatives in this regard were partial.’
Since those efforts never reached completion and failed to create any structure, it was not possible to build Bangladesh’s media into a strong institution, he said, adding that the responsibility for this should be borne by the previous government.
Zahir Uddin Swapon said that a press commission had once been formed under the leadership of Ataur Rahman Khan, but its report and recommendations never saw the light of day.
He called for the formation of a media commission under the leadership of a former distinguished judge, taking that instance into consideration.
Representatives from the information and law ministries, the National Editors Council, various trade unions of newspapers and the National Press Club could be included in the commission, he opined.
Mentioning that the commission would formulate policies, laws and structures, the minister that it would create opportunities for the development of both the professional and commercial aspects of the media while promoting ethical journalism and preventing the drift towards irresponsible journalism and malpractice.
Presided over by Amar Desh editor and joint convener of the National Editors Council Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Protidiner Bangladesh Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel presented the keynote at the seminar.
