DHAKA, Dec 22, 2024 (BSS)- Speakers at a roundtable discussion here today underscored the need for reformation of media to promote free and fair journalism and protect press freedom. 

In the roundtable discussion titled- ‘Dialogue for Democratic Reconstruction-Focusing on Mass Media’, they called for formulating a standard media regulation based on the opinions of professional journalists, academics, professionals, civil society members and social thinkers.

Although the country has significant number of print and broadcast media but they failed to play any role in promoting fair journalism and protecting democracy in the post independence era in Bangladesh, they said.

Center for Governance Studies (CGS) organized the roundtable at CIRDAP auditorium to make necessary recommendations for reformation of the media.

Speakers said taking advantages of the ownership of media houses many people were engaged in deceptive practices particularly over the last 15 years to make money. They have enjoyed all unethical advantages and became mafia by keeping close connection with the ruling party.

Taking part in the discussion Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said the aim of the present government is to bring a reform in the media as they could not play their due role in promoting objective journalism in the last fifteen years.

“So, reformation is very crucial to identify the failure of the media aimed at protecting the rights of the media people,” he said adding over the last fifteen years media went against all journalistic ethics to legitimize the human rights violation and extra judicial killings.

Terming the reformation a unique opportunity, Alam said, “It is a rare opportunity for us as the country needs to evaluate the quality of journalism as mushrooming growth of media has jeopardized the quality of Journalism, depriving the genuine qualified journalists from their rights.

Talking about media reformation, Chief of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed said, “Main objective of the reformation should be ensuring smooth functioning of the mass media which was literally impossible during the past fifteen years. The reformation also will recommend for scrapping all laws detrimental to press freedom, he said.

The media reform commission will look into the matter whether the media both in public and private sectors have performed properly over the last fifteen years according to their mandate, he said, adding that the commission will also see for better performance of the media in future.

The commission will conduct a first ever survey in the country on 48,000 people to review their opinion on the necessity of the media, he said.

“We are expecting that all editors of mainstream print and electronic media will formulate a common and standard editorial policy to be followed to bring discipline in the media”, Kamal Ahmed hoped.

Former state minister for Information Abu Sayeed said the government should form a permanent media commission representing the people in this field and it will help eliminate all the problems of the media. 

Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed said the commission can excuse the journalists for their all offenses and unethical professional practices but not those who lent support to the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for killing innocent people during July-August movement.

Most of the mass media including radio, television channels and online portals have got permission based on the party affiliation. The reform commission must look for reviewing their permission to bring balance in this area, said the BSS chief editor.

Noted Journalists and CGS executive director Zillur Rahman moderated the roundtable while CGS chair Munira Khan was in the chair.

The programme also was addressed, among others, by Chief Editor of the Daily Manab Zamin Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, AFP’s Fact Check Editor Qadaruddin Shishir, Prof SM Shameem Reza of Dhaka University, Joint Editor of Daily Samakal Abu Saeed Khan, journalist of NHK TV, Japan Parveen F Chowdhury, coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Bangladesh Zonayed Saki and senior Journalist Masood Kamal.