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DHAKA, Nov 1, 2025 (BSS)- Journalist unions today in rallies across the country placed a 39-point demand to the government including formation of the 10th wage board and full implementation of the 9th Wage Board Award. 

The demands of the journalists also include- adoption of the “No Wage Board, No Media” policy and immediate formation of an independent and effective Information Commission.

In the rallies, journalist leaders said although the implementation of the 9th Wage Board has been discussed for a long time, it has not been effectively enforced in most media outlets.

Due to the rise of the living cost, the government must take urgent steps to implement the 9th Wage Board Award and form the 10th Wage Board.

They also called for framing a policy for protection of the working journalists and ensure freedom of press.

Other demands of the journalists are- granting two-day weekly holiday, stopping killings, harassment, and torture of journalists, trial of the murder cases related to killing of all journalists including Sagar-Runi murder case, repealing all laws that restrict press freedom and establishing a separate labour court for journalist to resolve their claims of wages, allowance and other legitimate rights.

The journalist unions demanded that a “Unified National Mass Media Policy” should be formulated for newspapers, news agencies, radio, television, online platforms, and multimedia. Under this policy, there will have separate regulations for each type of media. 

They also demanded a uniform wage board should for print and electronic media and other new media. 

They said wholesale dismissals of journalists should be stopped and those who have already been dismissed should be reinstated.

All dues or payments of journalists must be settled within 90 days of end of their service, they said adding all media organization must give appointment letter to their workers and legitimate salary. 

Journalists’ leaders demanded that the government must quickly formulate a journalist recruitment policy.

In the capital, a rally was held on the premises of Jatiya Press Club (JPC) under the initiative of BFUJ and DUJ.

BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury presented the 39-point demand. 

As part of the announced programme of Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ), journalists unions including Rangpur Union of Journalists, Mymensingh Union of Journalists, Rajshahi Union of Journalists held rallies in their respective areas.