Editors and senior journalists from print and electronic media and online news portal today called for bringing reforms to media. File photo

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 5, 2025 (BSS) – Editors and senior journalists from print and electronic media and online news portal today called for bringing reforms to media so that it could play a vital role in rebuilding new Bangladesh with the spirit of July Revolution.

During the last 15 years misrule, most of the media did not publish reports on disappearance, killing and harassment of opposition activists in fear of crossfire, they said while taking part at a discussion here today.

Media Reforms Commission (MRC) organized the parley to extract the views and proposals of all stakeholders aiming at incorporating their opinions in the upcoming MRC report to be submitted to government likely by mid February next.

Taking part in the discussion, the journalists have also suggested MRC to make recommendations to strengthening and empowering properly the Press Council, provide proper training to journalists and set at least a proper criteria including minimum academic qualification for a journalists to streamlining the media.  

Editors and Journalists working in different local and national media in different districts under Chattogram administrative division attended the meeting chaired by eminent journalist and MRC Chief Kamal Ahmed.  

MRC members including Prof. Gitiara Nasreen, Akhtar Hossain Khan, Begum Qumrunnesa Hassan and Mostafa Sabuj also attended the meeting held at DC’s Conference room.  

The Daily People’s View Editor Osman Gani Mansur, Member Secretary of Chattogram Press Club interim committee Zahedul Karim Kochi, NTV Chattogram Bureau Chief Shamsul Haque Haidari, President of Chattogram Metropolitan Union of Journalists  Mohammad Shah Nowaz, General Secretary Saleh Noman, Coxs bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman and Feni Journalist Union President Siddik Al Mamun, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The Head of the MRC Kamal Ahmed in his concluding remarks stressed on stopping political interference in journalism profession.

“It is necessary to stop political interference in media and using media as a tool to harvest personal or vested interest as well as biased reporting and disinformation to ensure pro-people objective journalism in the country” he said.

Replying to questions on taking action against the journalists and media houses who played active role and assisted the ousted fascist government, the commission chief said that MRC is not a probe commission or executive authority to do so, rather it could only convey their voices to the appropriate authority and make recommendations by incorporating their proposals and views in the report.

Replying to another question, the commission chief said it would be a good solution to select minimum wages for journalists instead of wage board among journalists across the country to check the fraudulent practices by a section of media and depriving working journalists from their due wages.  

Mentioning one person should not be the owner of a number of media outlets including print, electronics and online, the Commission chief said we would recommend to bring a change in order to break the vicious circle mainly patronised by previous AL government.

During the meeting, leaders of various journalist organizations assured the Media Reform Commission of providing full support in their activities.