Desk Report:
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury has stated that the government will take necessary measures to implement the wage board in the interest of journalists and, if required, will raise the matter in the Cabinet.
The State Minister made these remarks on Sunday (October 4, 2026) during an exchange meeting with leaders of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The State Minister emphasized the urgency of ensuring the protection and welfare of journalists. He noted that journalists play a vital role in presenting accurate information to the public. He warned that if proper facilities and benefits are not ensured, talented journalists will lose interest in the profession, and a new generation of quality journalists will not emerge. He acknowledged the long-standing impasse regarding the wage board, noting that the Ninth Wage Board was not properly implemented. Discussions are now underway regarding the implementation of the Ninth Wage Board alongside demands for a Tenth Wage Board. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is consulting with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant stakeholders on this matter, and these efforts will be further intensified.
Yaser Khan Chowdhury stated that media house owners must also be sincere about the rights and welfare of journalists. He pointed out that even if the government makes an announcement, the desired benefits cannot be achieved unless the concerned institutions implement it.
Highlighting the need to define who qualifies as a journalist, the State Minister noted that “fake journalists”—individuals who identify themselves as journalists on various online portals and social media—pose a threat to genuine journalists and harm both the public and democracy. He urged journalist organizations to jointly submit proposals regarding the criteria for defining a journalist.
Regarding the Cyber Security Act, the State Minister clarified that the law is not intended to control the media or suppress journalists’ writings; its primary objective is public safety. He emphasized that cyber security measures are essential to combat harassment, the spread of false information and disinformation via fake social media accounts, and the resulting harm caused to people. He stated that the government is considering the proposal put forward by journalists—that court permission be obtained before taking legal action against any media outlet or journalist for inadvertently violating the law through published reports. Discussions are underway regarding the appropriate wording and provisions to incorporate for this purpose.
The State Minister further remarked that the government believes in media freedom and freedom of speech. The government will not interfere in the operations of the media and is working to ensure an environment where journalists can work independently. He urged journalists to submit their demands in writing, noting that written proposals would facilitate implementation and subsequent government action. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining such exchanges of views with journalists’ organizations.
At the meeting, DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam stated that journalists work tirelessly, day and night, to bring the country’s news to the public. Often, they perform their duties while risking their lives, yet they are deprived of fair remuneration. He called upon the government to take the initiative in implementing the Wage Board.
DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam stated that content creators should not identify themselves as journalists. He called for action against individuals who identify as journalists simply by opening Facebook pages. He also sought coordinated government initiatives for the welfare of journalists.
DUJ Joint General Secretary Md. Didarul Alam Didar noted that journalists are being deprived of their rights due to the long-standing failure to implement the Wage Board. He demanded the immediate announcement of the 10th Wage Board. He also urged the government to adopt a strict stance regarding the withholding of government advertisements and supplements from newspapers and media houses that fail to implement the Wage Board.
Others who spoke at the meeting included DUJ Vice-President Rashedul Haque, Office Secretary Iqbal Majumder Touhid, Welfare Secretary Salahuddin Razzak, Publicity Secretary Abul Kalam, Sports and Cultural Secretary Rafiq Liton, and Executive Members Mohammad Gazi Anwar and Talukdar AHM Nurul Momen. Senior Vice-President Rafiq Mohammad, Executive Committee members M Mosharraf Hossain, Abdullah Majumder, and Fakhrul Islam, among others, were present on the occasion.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on various issues, including the professional status and welfare of journalists, the implementation of the wage board, the definition of a journalist, cyber security, and media freedom.
