Published: 12:13 AM, 20 April 2026
Work on 10th wage board starting soon: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that the work on setting up the 10th wage board for journalists is going to start soon. Zahir Uddin Swapon conveyed this information in Parliament on Sunday (19 April 2026) while answering questions from the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). It was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal.
According to Zahir Uddin Swapon, the implementation of the 9th wage board for media professionals could not be carried out because of disagreements among newspaper owners over paying taxes though the 9th wage board was published in the form of a gazette notification on 12 September 2019. He further said that at present six writ petitions are going on about the execution of the 9th wage board. The government is making the best of its efforts to resolve these legal issues and to launch required actions for the 10th wage board, Zahir Uddin Swapon stated.
Zahir Uddin Swapon said that a special cell has been founded to ensure the dignity, capacity building and safe working environment for journalists. Moreover, processes are underway to safeguard journalists from threats, digital harassment, special assistance for women journalists, legal and technological aid for media workers etcetera, Zahir Uddin Swapon added.
Zahir Uddin Swapon affirmed that a full-fledged online database for journalists is on cards to upgrade the quality of journalism and to identify fake journalists. He further said that the Press Council Act of 1974 is going to be amended and updated to enable journalists to work independently.
>>Saiful Alam, AA
