Media Commission like those in USA, UK needed: Info Minister

Zahir Uddin Swapan, minister for information and broadcasting addressing a seminar organised by the National Editors Council at the DFP auditorium on Monday 15 June 2026.

GreenWatch Desk

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Monday dropped broad hints at the setting up on a media commission to identify problems facing the mass media sector and solve those.

Addressing a seminar marking the Black Day symbolising the closure of all but four newspapers in the country way back on 16 June 1975, the minister said let's turn the black day into a bright day by flourishing the healthy growth and development of the news media.

The seminar was organised by the newly formed National Editors' Council at the Department of Films and Publications auditorium with National Editors Council Joint Convener and editor of Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman in the chair. 

Zahir Uddin Swapan said the government was thinking of steps in the light of the functioning of similar commissions in USA, UK and EU which set guidelines for free media accommodating diversity. He said he has had interactions with almost all organisations of people at work in the news media sector of Bangladesh.

BSS adds: He said 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.

“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 that as a newspaper reader, it appeared to him 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 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 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.

He warned that unless consensus is built among all stakeholders on the objectives and structure from the outset by bringing them onto a common platform, the initiative could face the same fate as previous unsuccessful efforts.

The keynote paper of the seminar was presented by Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, editor, Protidiner Bangladesh. Daily Naya Diganta Editor Salahuddin Muhammad Babar, President of the National Press Club and Editor of Kaler Kantho Poet Hasan Hafiz, former Press Secretary of the Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam, President of the Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ) Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, Dhaka Union of Journalists President (DUJ) and editor of Manab Kantha, Md Shahidul Islam, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity President Abu Saleh Akon, and editor of Daily Jugantar spoke at the seminar.