Desk Report:
The first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the 13th National Parliament was held on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) at the National Parliament House. The meeting was presided over by the Committee Chairman, Md. Amanullah Aman, MP—a member of the National Standing Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
An introductory session took place at the beginning of the meeting. Emphasis was placed on ensuring accountability in the Ministry’s operations, alongside a call for conducting activities with transparency. The committee stressed the importance of moving past the various negative legacies of the previous 17 years and proceeding with renewed vigor. The roles of the late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in ensuring press freedom were also highlighted during the discussion.
It was noted that a culture of abusive language has emerged in politics over the past two years, which is entirely unacceptable. The meeting expressed the view that the Cyber Security Act would play an effective role in providing protection against such activities. Simultaneously, everyone was urged to play a responsible role from their respective positions to curb misinformation on social media.
The meeting further acknowledged that everyone has the right to freedom of expression and that the National Press Club serves as a vital platform for journalists to exercise this right and practice professional freedom. Emphasis was placed on the need for necessary renovations and repairs to the National Press Club, as well as the modernization and aesthetic improvement of its auditorium.
Detailed information regarding the overall activities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and its subordinate departments and agencies was presented during the meeting.
Committee members who participated in the meeting included Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, MP (Minister of Information and Broadcasting); Yaser Khan Chowdhury, MP (State Minister of Information and Broadcasting); Md. Ashraf Uddin, MP; Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul, MP; Md. Mojibur Rahman, MP; Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, MP; Fahmida Haque, MP; Md. Shafiqul Islam, MP; and Mst. Nazmun Nahar, MP. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Directors General and senior officials of the departments under the Ministry, heads of relevant agencies, and concerned officials from the National Parliament Secretariat.
