Media Reform Commission (MRC) Chief Kamal Ahmed. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Jan 23, 2025 (BSS) – Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed today said the commission is working towards sustainable media reforms aimed at strengthening democratic structures rather than merely focusing on electoral cycles.

He made this observation during a discussion with representatives of the Media Freedom Coalition at the Information Building conference room in the capital, said a press release.

Kamal Ahmed thanked the Media Freedom Coalition, a global alliance of democratic nations working to promote press freedom, for its stance against unwarranted attacks on the media during past authoritarian regimes in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the coalition would continue to support journalists' rights in the future.  

During the meeting, representatives from the coalition sought details about the commission’s reform initiatives. Questions were raised about whether the commission would address the challenges of disinformation and misinformation and whether political parties would be involved in the reform process.  

In response, Kamal Ahmed assured the attendees that the commission is engaging all stakeholders, including publishers, editors, journalists, broadcasters, media owners, and the general public, in the process of drafting a reliable reform proposal. He added that political parties have also been invited to share their observations and recommendations for media reforms.  

Responding to a question on journalists’ safety, Kamal Ahmed said the commission is exploring options to include insurance support for journalists under government policies to enhance their security.  

The meeting was attended by commission members Shamsul Haque Zahid, Akhtar Hossain Khan, Begum Kamrunnesa Hasan, Fahim Ahmed, Jimi Amir, Mostafa Sabuj, Titu Dutta Gupta, and Abdullah Al Mamun.

Representatives from various embassies and high commissions in Dhaka were also present, including Stephen F. Ibelli (U.S. Embassy), Vanessa Beaumont (British High Commission), Michiko Ueda (Japan Embassy), Lara Adams (Australian High Commission), Siobhan Ken (Canadian High Commission), Paola Castro Neiderstanm (Swedish Embassy), Cor Stouten (Netherlands Embassy), Emilie Palahouane (France Embassy), and Ali Sohel Ibn (Switzerland Embassy).