Published: 12:07 AM, 21 May 2026
Govt won't impose unilateral decision on media commission: Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Wednesday said the government will not impose any unilateral decision in the process of forming an effective and independent media commission.
"No unilateral decision on formation of the media commission will be imposed," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised by BBC Media Action with support from UK International Development at a city hotel, BSS reports.
The minister said the final framework of the proposed commission would be prepared through consultations with all stakeholders, taking into consideration previous discussions, proposals and relevant documents.
Prime Minister's Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman also spoke at the seminar as a panel discussant. A detailed panel discussion was held at the seminar on "Learning and Exchange from Policy Reform to Newsroom Practices" under the PIMHE project.
Addressing the seminar, the information minister said senior leaders of newspaper owners' associations and the Editors' Council recently held fruitful discussions with the head of government on the issue.
"We have decided that all the works that have already been done regarding the media commission and information commission will be considered as important components for our future course of action," he said.
He added that a consultative committee would be formed based on the existing documents and recommendations, and after receiving its suggestions, further discussions would be held with all stakeholders, media associations and international development partners.
The minister said no positive initiative or document from the past would be excluded from the reform process; rather, all previous efforts would serve as the foundation for the future work.
Replying to a question at the seminar, Swapon said there are many successful examples of media commissions around the world and described the media as the "fourth pillar of the state" in modern civilization.
"The media world does not belong to the government alone; it is a collective domain for everyone involved. The government, like others, is an equal stakeholder, while it will only perform the role of a facilitator on behalf of the state," he said.
He said the government's main objective is to ensure a healthy and free flow of information for the people.
Addressing international development partners and media experts present at the seminar, the minister expressed hope that international partners and local organisations would work as "companions" of the government in this transformation process.
Among others, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, former head of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed, and Chairman of the Broadcast Journalists Center and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jamuna Television Fahim Ahmed also spoke at the seminar.
