Swapon urges formation of objective, independent media commission

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said establishing an independent and responsible media commission based on an objective approach is essential in the current context, reports BSS.
He made the remarks on Monday while addressing a seminar titled ‘Black Day of Newspaper Closure under BAKSAL Rule and Media Failure in Confronting Fascism’, organised by the National Editors Council (NEC) at the Department of Films and Publications in the capital on Monday.
The minister said the proposed commission will identify existing problems in different sectors of the media and suggest ways to address them.
While ensuring media freedom, the commission will also define the boundaries of responsibility, he added.
He noted that discussions on media freedom naturally involve diverse opinions, while issues of accountability arise when media responsibility is considered.
Stressing the need for an objective outlook, he said it would not be possible to establish an effective and independent media commission without it.
Referring to past initiatives, he said earlier efforts to reform the media sector remained incomplete and failed to produce lasting institutional structures. He also mentioned that a Press Commission once formed under Ataur Rahman Khan did not see its report implemented.
The minister suggested forming a new media commission under the leadership of a former distinguished judge. He also proposed including representatives from the Information and Law Ministries, the National Editors Council, newspaper trade unions and the National Press Club.
He said the proposed commission will formulate necessary policies, laws, and institutional frameworks for the media sector and will also create opportunities for the development of both the professional and commercial aspects of journalism.
The minister further said the initiative would promote ethical journalism while discouraging irresponsible reporting and malpractice in the media sector.