Media licences were issued considering political identity: Reform commission chief
About the media boom in Bangladesh, Kamal Ahmed said black money was injected into Bangladesh media, saying, "We know those who become the owners of media but we do not know how they have become media owners"
Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed today (22 March) said media licences were given considering the political identity of media owners during the deposed regime.
"Licences for televisions and newspapers were not given in open and transparent ways. The licences of online news portals were also not issued in an open and transparent manner. The licences were given in collusion and based on political identity [of media owners]," he told a press briefing outside the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka this afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the Media Reform Commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus at Jamuna, which is the CA's official residence.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Kamal, a senior journalist, said there was no issue of public interest in issuing media licences as those were given considering political identity.
About the media boom in Bangladesh, he said black money was injected into Bangladesh media, saying, "We know those who become the owners of media but we do not know how they have become media owners".
Highlighting the works of the Media Reform Commission, Kamal said the interim government formed the commission on 18 November last year and it has completed its task within 100 days.
In preparing its report, he said, the commission held meetings with stakeholders including journalists and media owners, and exchanged views with about 1,400 people across the country.
The present state of media was not created in a day, he said, adding that the freedom of the press and journalists has fallen into a deep crisis due to long malpractice in media.
In this context, he said the commission reviewed the history of Bangladesh journalism and tried to find out the problems the journalists face and solutions to these problems.
"We tried to take lessons from history and follow the international best practices in journalism," he added.
About the change in the media landscape in Bangladesh after 5 August 2024, Kamal said although the Awami League government was toppled, media owners did not change but the leaderships of newsmen were changed.
Observing that there is no accountability of media owners in Bangladesh, he said no media owner disclosed the sources of his or her investment in media.
Referring to the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, he said they recommended the government enact a law to ensure the safety of journalists.
He said the commission suggested establishing a permanent National Media Commission.
Mentioning that the reform commission has given about 20 recommendations, Kamal said they proposed providing an entry-level journalist with the salary and allowances equivalent to that of a nine-grade BCS officer.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and other reform commission members were also present at the press briefing.
