Independent commission planned for media sector: Info minister

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government is planning to form an independent commission to help ensure a free and participatory media environment.

He made the remarks today (3 May) at a discussion titled "World Press Freedom Day 2026", organised by the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) at the Cirdap Auditorium.

The minister said an independent media commission was being planned to bring print, electronic and digital media under a unified framework. He added that an advisory committee comprising journalists, editors, owners and experts would be formed as part of the process.

He also said digital platform challenges required solution-oriented and participatory policies rather than repressive measures.

"The government itself is a party, so it is not always reasonable to view it as a guardian," said Zahir Uddin Swapon. "The government's role has been controversial in the past as well. That is why an independent institution is needed to hold all sides, including the government, accountable."

Journalists at the event expressed concern over current challenges facing the media sector.

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star and executive member of Noab, said internal self-criticism was as important as press freedom. And it was necessary to consider whether journalism was truly serving the public interest or being influenced by group and commercial interests. 

He added that ethics had become even more important in the age of AI.

Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, president of Noab and also the editor of Manabzamin, said misinformation has reached "epidemic" levels in the country. Unverified information is spreading rapidly on social media, creating social and political instability, he said, adding that public awareness and coordinated local initiatives were needed alongside laws.

Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, said the main objective of World Press Freedom Day was to strengthen democracy and recognise journalism's contribution. He urged authorities to assess recommendations made by previous commissions before forming a new one, and described political parties' double standards as a long-term threat to media freedom.

Separate discussions were held in the capital marking the occasion, focusing on structural reforms in Bangladesh's media sector, the formation of an independent commission, the spread of misinformation and journalistic ethics.

Alongside the Newspaper Owners' Association event, another discussion titled "Rebuilding Public Trust: Media Independence and Democratic Accountability in Bangladesh" was held in Dhanmondi, jointly organised by Unesco and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said a suitable political and governance environment must be created where media could operate independently. He warned that self-regulation could sometimes become a tool of control.

Susan Vize, a representative of Unesco, said freedom of expression was a core Unesco principle but was coming under growing pressure worldwide. She stressed supportive policies instead of restrictive measures to ensure independent media.

Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said open criticism of the government was now comparatively more possible, which he described as a positive change. He added that discussions were under way with the media reform commission on practical steps for implementation.

Speakers said Bangladesh currently ranks 152nd out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, down three places from before. They stressed the need for coordinated efforts by the government, media and civil society to improve the situation.