Govt considering independent media commission: Info Adviser

The government is considering forming an independent media commission said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam today (18 August).

The adviser said this while exchanging views with journalists at his secretariat office.

“We have primarily thought about an independent media commission. We will determine its framework through discussions with journalists. We aim to take these initiatives based on feedback from the journalist community,” the advisor said on the first day in charge of the ministry.

Nahid further mentioned that the ministry would soon decide about the films that were not released due to the non-clearance of the Censor Board.

“We will quickly reorganise the Censor Board making decisions based on logical reasoning,” he added.

He requested the media to limit the coverage of his photos, saying, “I have been trying to stay out of the spotlight for the past few days.”

When asked about cases being filed allegedly out of personal vendettas, he said, “We have instructions to ensure that no action is taken against those who were not involved in crimes. If cases are filed, they will be handled based on clear investigations. The Ministry of Law has been given specific instructions in this regard.”

Regarding the long-pending Journalist Protection Act, Nahid acknowledged its delay and assured that he would address it.

On the investigation into the murders of journalists Sagar and Runi, he said that the government is seeking a swift resolution, emphasising that there would be no delay or deception in this matter.

The adviser also mentioned that the government is considering structural reforms across all ministries to achieve long-term benefits. This includes discussions on revising various laws, addressing journalists’ salaries, and modernising institutions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

When asked about corruption within the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) and the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), Nahid emphasised that there should be no place for corruption or favouritism. “We must ensure that these institutions operate with complete impartiality,” he asserted.

Nahid remarked that the greatest strength of the media is its impartiality. He expressed concern that similar to the political divide between the Awami League and BNP, the media also appears divided along partisan lines. He urged journalists to avoid such divisions and to speak for the people from a neutral standpoint.