Talks with stakeholders before formation: Nahid

Information and Technology Adviser Nahid Islam announced that the government would hold a series of consultation meetings with stakeholders before the formation of the Media Reform Commission.

He came up with the revelation at an open discussion on Monday titled "Media Reform: Why? How?" held at the National Press Club organised by the Media Support Network.

He emphasised the importance of involving a diverse range of stakeholders, including media owners, journalists and editors, in this process.

The adviser noted that while previous meetings with the Editors' Council have taken place, it is crucial to gather insights from various parties before officially announcing the commission.

"We often sit with editors and owners, but voices of field journalists frequently go unheard," he said, underscoring the need for events that facilitate such dialogue. He pledged to continue organising similar discussions in the future.

A key theme of the conversation was the professionalism of journalism, Mr Nahid said, adding: "If journalism is a profession, we must assess how to enhance its professionalism and identify the challenges that hinder it."

He pointed out that various state laws and restrictions currently impose limitations on journalistic freedom and contribute to financial difficulties within the media sector.

Reflecting on his experience, Islam recognised the complex landscape of journalism in Bangladesh, noting conflicting interests among stakeholders.

He highlighted issues such as delayed salaries for journalists, which he believes need urgent attention.

"If journalism is a profession, it deserves respect," he remarked, advocating for journalist organisations to genuinely represent the interests of their members.

The adviser also reflected on recent movements within the media sector, emphasising the role of journalists and media stakeholders during critical events.

He raised concerns about the lack of accountability, questioning who is responsible when stories are not published due to internal policies or external pressures.

"We must take responsibility for our actions," he urged.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, supported the discussion by affirming that media freedom is non-negotiable.

"This government has been in power for almost two months, and there has been no interference in the media," he stated.

He expressed the need to institutionalise media freedom to prevent the challenges faced under previous administrations from reoccurring.

Faruk Wasif, director general of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, stressed that journalism, often referred to as the fourth pillar of the state, has been overlooked.

"While we shine our light on others, we fail to illuminate our own issues," he said.

He questioned the role of journalists in safeguarding this pillar, urging for stricter regulations on media ownership to prevent monopolisation and the influence of black money.

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Editor of The Financial Express Asjadul Kibria underscored the need for media literacy for a larger audience of society.

The event concluded with contributions from various other speakers, including Dhaka University Professor Saiful Alam Chowdhury and journalists Salim Khan, Kawsar Mahmud, Khawaja Moinuddin, Ahmed Jewel, Professor RR Razi and Ariful Sajjad.

Advocate Shafiqur Rahman presided over the discussion.

They collectively emphasised the importance of reforming the media landscape to ensure its integrity and sustainability.

In its keynote paper, the Media Support Network underscored the need for establishing a unified wage and benefits board that covers all forms of media (newspapers, television, radio, online).

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