Desk Report:
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that it is important to keep the media and its entrepreneurs safe to strengthen the democratic social system and build an accountable state. He said that the media industry must be sustained, even if necessary through state subsidies, because an independent and responsible media is one of the foundations of the progress of society and civilization.
He said these things as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting organized at the East West Media Group office in Bashundhara, the capital, on Thursday (July 16, 2026).
The minister said that the global media structure is changing rapidly. In order for the conventional media to survive in the new technology-based reality, new knowledge, skills, technology and timely legal framework will have to be adopted. He also commented that many opportunities are being missed due to lack of proper preparation at this stage of change.
He said that like other industries in the country, the media should also be given necessary support and encouragement by the state. Because the survival of this industry is directly related to democracy, freedom of expression and social accountability.
Citing the topic of digital platforms, Zahir Uddin Swapan said that digital media has rapidly expanded as the main source of information. As a result, traditional media outlets have faced new competition. In this reality, almost all major media organizations have had to expand their multimedia activities and find new sources of income. Therefore, it is important to further strengthen the institutional capacity of media organizations.
He also said that due to the rise of social media and independent content creators, a large part of advertising is moving to digital platforms. In this situation, the mainstream media should be made technology-based and competitive. He also opined that the number of readers and viewers should be considered as important criteria in distributing government advertisements.
Highlighting the government’s position on media freedom, the Information Minister said that the current government is committed to building an independent, responsible and sustainable media system. To this end, initiatives are being taken to reform the media, form necessary commissions and formulate policies based on the opinions of stakeholders.
Regarding the professional security of journalists, he said that it is not possible to ensure respectable salaries, job stability and professional security of journalists without implementing the Ninth Wage Board. At the same time, the state should provide necessary policy support by ensuring the security of investment of media entrepreneurs. He also warned that if the financial uncertainty of journalists is not removed, professional journalism will be damaged and opportunities for misreporting will increase.
At the exchange of views, editors and senior officials of various media outlets demanded the formulation of separate policies for online media, bringing all registered media outlets under the government advertisement system, forming an independent media commission, launching a journalist registration system and ensuring transparency in the distribution of advertisements.
Daily Sun Editor Rezaul Karim Lotus said that the government has already shown tolerance towards independent media. In return, journalists should also play a responsible role in the interest of the country and the people.
Bangladesh Pratidin editor Lotan Ekram alleged that even though the media outlets of East West Media Group have a large number of readers and viewers, they are being deprived of government advertisements and supplements. He demanded transparency in the distribution of DFP advertisements, circulation-based advertisements, introduction of journalists’ pensions and the formation of an independent media commission.
Banglanews24.com editor Touhidul Islam Mintu called for bringing registered online media outlets under the government’s advertising policy.
Bangladesh Pratidin executive editor A. K. M. Manjurul Islam said that various media outlets of Bashundhara Group have been subjected to various types of discrimination and harassment during the interim government. He drew the attention of the Information Minister to take effective steps in this regard.
News24 CEO Shariful Islam Khan said that the main goal of journalism is to work for the welfare of the state, society and people. At the same time, East West Media Group is also making an important contribution to the economic and social development of the country.
Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Bashir Jamal said that a large number of journalists are working in the East West Media Group. He expressed hope that if the initiatives announced by the government are implemented, the long-standing problems of journalists will be resolved.
Editors, senior officials and senior journalists of various organizations of the East West Media Group including Daily Sun, Bangladesh Pratidin, Kaler Kantho, Banglanews24.com, News24 were present at the event.
