Govt to act on immediate media reforms: CA Yunus

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (22 March) said the interim government will take steps for the Media Reform Commission's proposals which can be implemented without delay.

"We want to implement the reform proposals that can be done immediately. For that, I would like the reform commission to submit the recommendations quickly," he said after the Media Reform Commission submitted its report at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Yunus termed the work of the Media Reform Commission led by Journalist Kamal Ahmed invaluable. He recommended working towards making this report available to other people, including students of journalism departments of universities.

Journalist Kamal had a meeting with the chief adviser where commission members were present.

The commission told the chief adviser that Bangladeshi television channels cannot be viewed from abroad because domestic television channels are forced to use a specific satellite.

In this regard, Yunus said the government will take necessary measures so that Bangladeshis living abroad and interested foreigners can watch domestic television channels.

Briefing the reporters in front of State Guest House Jamuna, commission chief Kamal Ahmed said they want to see quality newspapers, TV channels and radios survive through "fair and transparent" competition.

He said the media is seeking accountability from the politicians and the bureaucrats but the question is there about the accountability of mass media. "It is a big question globally today who are the owners of the media outlets."

He said there have been no changes in the media ownership, but newsroom leaders have been changed only in line with those political parties who are likely to be in power in the near future.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present during the media briefing.

On 18 November, the interim government formed the eleven-member Media Reform Commission with an aim to make media independent, stronger and objective.

Journalists' starting salary should be equivalent to first-class govt officers: Commission

The Media Reform Commission has recommended that the minimum entry salary for journalists should be set at an amount equivalent to Grade-9 like BCS cadres and journalists should have a minimum graduation degree for educational qualification.

According to the National Pay Scale 2015, the basic salary of Grade-9 officers starts at Tk22,000. Other allowances including house rent are added to this. In total, this salary is more than Tk35,000.

The commission also recommended that no journalist should be hired - whether on a temporary, permanent, or contractual basis - without an appointment letter, a photo ID, and salary.

It also proposed that the probation period should not exceed one year.

The Media Reform Commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Journalist Kamal highlighted the need for journalists' financial security and said this can be for journalists across the country.

However, since the cost of living in Dhaka is high, a 'Dhaka allowance' may be added to the salaries that journalists will receive across the country, he said.

"This allowance will be added to the salaries that journalists receive in Dhaka. This allowance will be decided by the government and various parties in the media," said the Commission chief.

Asked about the educational qualifications of journalists, Kamal Ahmed said they talked about the qualifications of editors and publishers, not only journalists - the minimum qualification of journalists should be a graduate.

"We hope that the current interim government and the future elected government will implement all these recommendations," he said.

Kamal Ahmed said they have recommended a law for protection in journalism and they have also drafted a protection ordinance.