Media Reforms Commission Chief Kamal Ahmed said that the commission is working for sustainable media reforms, which are not only election-centered but will be part of a strong democratic framework. He said this in response to a question about what kind of recommendations the Media Reforms Commission will make to create an environment for elections.
A view-exchange meeting of the Media Reforms Commission with representatives of the Media Freedom Coalition was held at the Information Building Conference Room on Circuit House Road in Dhaka on Thursday (January 23, 2025). The Media Freedom Coalition is an alliance of democratic states working together to promote media freedom internationally.
The commission chief thanked the Media Freedom Coalition for taking a stand against the unwanted attacks on the media during the rule of the ousted dictator. He expressed hope that the Media Freedom Coalition would continue to support them in protecting the rights of journalists in the future.
Representatives of the embassies of the member countries of the Media Freedom Coalition in Dhaka participated in the discussion meeting and wanted to know about various issues of media reform. The Commission was asked whether the Commission would have any role in combating the risk of disinformation and fake news. They also wanted to know whether political parties would be given the opportunity to participate in media reform.
At this time, the head of the Commission informed the representatives of the Media Freedom Coalition that our term is 90 (ninety) days. We are trying to present a reliable reform proposal by discussing with our partners publishers, editors, journalists, radio and television owners and the general public-viewers-listeners who are related to the media. We are listening to people from all sections of society and accepting their opinions and have even invited political parties to present their observations and reform proposals related to the media.
In response to a question from another member of the delegation, he said that the Commission is considering whether insurance assistance can be provided for the safety of journalists as per the government law.
The discussion was attended by Commission members Shamsul Haque Zahid, Akhtar Hossain Khan, Begum Kamrunnesa Hasan, Fahim Ahmed, Jimmy Amir, Mr. Mustafa Sabuj, Titu Dutta Gupta, Abdullah Al Mamun and representatives of the Media Freedom Coalition Stephen F Ibelli, U.S Embassy Dhaka, Vanessa Beaumont, British High Commission Dhaka, Michiko UEDA, Japan Embassy Dhaka, Lara Adams, Australian High Commission Dhaka, Siobhan Ken, Canadian High Commission Dhaka, Paola Castro Neiderstanm Sweden Embassy Dhaka, Cor Stouten, Netherlands Embassy Dhaka, Eamilie Palahouane, France Embassy Dhaka, Ali Sohel Ibn Switzerland Embassy Dhaka and officials from embassies and high commissions of various countries.
