The Media Reform Commission has put forth seven recommendations aimed at regulating online news portals to create a robust policy framework that fosters fair and ethical journalistic practices.
Led by veteran journalist Kamal Ahmed, the commission presented its findings to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday, as reported by bdnews24.com.
The report indicates that during the previous Awami League administration, the process for online registrations lacked a “transparent and clear policy,” instead being executed through the “arbitrary exercise of government authority.”
It emphasizes that the unchecked growth of online media has led to issues such as “yellow journalism, unethical blackmail, harassment of individuals, and breaches of privacy rights,” which have hindered the pursuit of ethical and objective journalism.
The commission linked these challenges to the shortcomings of the former government’s online media policy in implementing effective regulations.
It suggested a thorough review of the policy to enhance its practicality and effectiveness.
“The task of defining the conditions in the previous government’s online policy was intended to be assigned to the proposed Broadcast Commission. However, in the absence of this commission, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting conducted registrations arbitrarily, primarily influenced by political motives.”
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
1. Revise the online portal registration policy and transfer the registration authority—initially designated for the proposed Broadcast Commission—to the independent Media Commission suggested by the Media Reform Commission.
2. Reassess all online registrations granted over the past ten years, as these were not executed under a transparent or clear policy but rather through arbitrary government actions. The independent Media Commission should oversee this review.
3. Discontinue the current requirement for multiple intelligence agency verifications for online portal registrations. The existing police verification process utilized for newspaper declarations should be deemed adequate.
4. Remove the necessity for annual renewals of online portal registrations.
5. Revoke the prohibition on IPTVs and online portals from airing news bulletins, as outlined in the online policy.
6. Promote transparency and equity in the allocation of government advertisements to online portals, adhering to a defined policy.
7. Eliminate the exorbitant trade license fees imposed on online portals, which are significantly higher than those for traditional businesses and hinder independent journalism.
On September 11, 2024, the chief advisor revealed the establishment of commissions aimed at reforming the electoral system, police administration, judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission, public administration, and the Constitution as part of a broader initiative to restructure state machinery.
Subsequently, on October 17, the interim government’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Advisor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced intentions to create commissions in four additional sectors, including health and media.
The nine-member media reform panel includes The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid representing the Editors’ Council, Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOWAB) Secretary Akhter Hossain Khan, a representative from the Association of Television Owners (ATCO) and former Jatiya Press Club general secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed, Jamuna Television CEO and Broadcast Journalist Center Trustee Fahim Ahmed, Media Support Network Convener and journalist Jimmy Amir, Dhaka University’s Prof Gitiara Nasreen, The Daily Star Bogura District Correspondent Mostofa Sabuj, The Business Standard Deputy Editor Titu Datta Gupta, and Abdullah Al Mamun as the student representative.
