[🇧🇩] Press Freedom in Bangladesh

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Editors’ Council expresses concern over draft media and broadcasting commission ordinances

The Editors’ Council has expressed concern over the draft ordinances for the proposed National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission. The organisation of newspaper editors considers the hasty publication of such important draft ordinances just days before the national election to be...

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Editors’ Council expresses concern over draft media and broadcasting commission ordinances

Special Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 01 Feb 2026, 22: 15

The Editors’ Council has expressed concern over the draft ordinances for the proposed National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission.

The organisation of newspaper editors considers the hasty publication of such important draft ordinances just days before the national election to be undesirable and unreasonable.


The concern was expressed in a statement issued on behalf of the Editors’ Council by its president Nurul Kabir and general secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud today, Sunday.

It may be noted that no recommendation of the Media Reform Commission has been implemented even 10 months after its report was submitted.

Now, at the very final stage of the interim government’s tenure, an initiative has been taken to establish a National Media Commission.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prepared a draft titled National Media Commission Ordinance, 2026 and published it on the ministry’s website last Wednesday to solicit opinions.

Only three days were allotted for submitting feedback. Prior to that, on Tuesday, a draft of the Broadcasting Commission Ordinance was also published to establish a Broadcasting Commission.

In other words, the Ministry of Information seeks to form two separate commissions.

The national election is scheduled for 12 February, after which a new government will be formed. The tenure of the current government is also nearing its end.

In this context, questions have arisen over the initiative to form two separate commissions in haste while disregarding the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission.

In its statement, the Editors’ Council said it is deeply concerned about both the process and timing of the formulation of the two recently published draft ordinances concerning the National Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission, which are available on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

With the election imminent, the Editors’ Council considers the rushed release of draft ordinances of such significance and far-reaching impact to be undesirable and unreasonable.

Draft legislation directly related to media freedom, professional journalistic standards, and the future of the broadcasting system cannot be considered acceptable if prepared without proper discussion and review.

The Editors’ Council believes that the structure and provisions of these draft ordinances indicate a clear risk of increased state control rather than the protection of media freedom.

Furthermore, the initiative to complete the law-making process by inviting opinions within such a limited timeframe runs counter to participatory and democratic practices.

The Editors’ Council maintains that legislation of this importance should be enacted only after the formation of an elected parliament and through extensive and meaningful consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including journalists, editors, media organisations, and representatives of civil society.

On the question of ensuring media freedom and professional security, haste is not the answer; rather, a transparent, participatory, and responsible process is in the best interests of the country and democracy, the Editors’ Council added.​

 

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https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/columns/on-bnps-pledge-to-respect-fearless-unbiased-journalism

On BNP's pledge to respect fearless, unbiased journalism

Mir Mostafizur Rahaman
Published :
Feb 16, 2026 23:10
Updated :
Feb 16, 2026 23:10

A landslide victory brings with it not only power, but scrutiny. After the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's sweeping win in the 13th parliamentary elections on 12 February, public attention has swiftly shifted from celebration to expectation. Among the most pressing tests facing the incoming government is its commitment to media freedom -- a principle it placed prominently in its manifesto.

Democracy does not end at the ballot box. It lives or dies in the everyday relationship between power and accountability. A government that commands a two-thirds majority can legislate almost at will. But the strength of a democratic mandate is measured not by how much authority it accumulates, but by how much dissent it tolerates.

For more than a decade and a half, Bangladesh's media landscape has been shaped by fear, legal intimidation and economic pressure. Under the long rule of the Awami League government, critical journalists faced a tightening web of restrictions. Laws such as the Digital Security Act were widely criticised for their sweeping provisions, vague definitions and punitive scope. Reporters were arrested, editors summoned, and newsrooms pushed into cautious self-censorship. A culture of silence crept in where once there had been robust debate.

The fall of that government raised hopes of renewal. Yet the interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus did not manage to dispel anxieties about the safety and independence of the press. Journalists complained of continued harassment, politically motivated cases and a failure to decisively curb mob intimidation against media houses. The unresolved murder of journalist couple Sagar and Runi remained a painful symbol of systemic impunity. The burning and vandalism of prominent newspaper offices shocked observers at home and abroad.

In this context, the BNP's manifesto pledges on media freedom are not merely policy proposals; they are a litmus test for the country's democratic recovery.

The party promises to "respect fearless and unbiased journalism". It declares that journalists are a crucial pillar of democracy and that objective criticism will be welcomed. It commits to reviewing the Digital Security Act, preventing aggression against media workers, establishing an independent regulatory framework inspired by the UK's Ofcom, ensuring justice for murdered journalists, withdrawing politically motivated cases and ending partisan bias in the allocation of government advertising. It even proposes a National Journalist Retirement Welfare Board to safeguard the profession's long-term welfare.

These are ambitious commitments. They are also, if honoured in spirit and practice, transformative.

But history counsels caution. Political parties in opposition often champion press freedom. Once in office, their tolerance can wane. Governments, regardless of ideology, are tempted to conflate criticism with conspiracy, scrutiny with sabotage. The true measure of the BNP's democratic maturity will be whether it resists that temptation.

The first and most urgent test lies in legal reform. A credible review of the Digital Security Act must go beyond cosmetic amendments. Vague offences relating to "hurting sentiments", "tarnishing image" or "spreading misinformation" have historically enabled arbitrary enforcement. Reform should narrow definitions, introduce stronger safeguards against arrest without warrant, and ensure judicial oversight. International standards on freedom of expression, to which Bangladesh is a signatory, should guide the process.

Secondly, the promise to prevent aggression against media houses demands more than rhetoric. In recent years, physical attacks on journalists -- whether by partisan activists, mobs or security forces - have too often ended without accountability. The new government must signal clearly that violence against the press will not be tolerated, regardless of the political affiliation of perpetrators. Swift investigations, transparent prosecutions and public reporting on outcomes are essential to rebuild trust.

Equally important is the proposed independent regulatory framework. Invoking the model of Ofcom is notable. Yet the credibility of such a body will depend on its composition and appointment process. Independence cannot be proclaimed; it must be designed. Members should be selected through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process that includes representation from journalists' associations, civil society, legal experts and opposition parties. The regulator must not become another instrument of executive influence under the guise of oversight.

The manifesto's emphasis on tackling rumours, fake news and hate speech reflects legitimate concerns in a digital age. But the boundary between combating disinformation and suppressing dissent is thin. Any collaboration with fact-checking organisations must respect editorial independence. Complaint mechanisms should not become tools for orchestrated harassment campaigns against critical outlets. Mandatory resolution timelines, such as the proposed 30-day window, are welcome if accompanied by due process and rights of appeal.

Justice for murdered and tortured journalists is perhaps the most morally charged pledge. The long shadow of unresolved cases has eroded confidence in the rule of law. A special cell to prevent journalist torture could be a positive step, provided it is empowered, adequately resourced and insulated from political interference. The withdrawal of false cases filed for political purposes must be undertaken transparently, with independent review to distinguish genuinely frivolous charges from legitimate legal proceedings.

Ending political bias in the allocation of government advertising would address one of the subtler forms of media control. In many countries, state advertising is wielded as a reward for loyalty and a punishment for criticism. Establishing clear, objective criteria for advertisement distribution - based on circulation, reach and professional standards rather than editorial line - would reduce economic coercion and foster a more level playing field.

Yet beyond policies and institutions lies culture. A free press cannot flourish in an environment where senior politicians publicly disparage journalists as enemies or traitors. Tone matters. The BNP leadership must set an example by responding to investigative reports with evidence and argument, not intimidation. Party activists, emboldened by electoral victory, must be reminded that political dominance does not entitle them to silence critics.

There is also a strategic dimension. A government confident in its performance should have little to fear from scrutiny. Indeed, an independent press can serve as an early warning system, exposing corruption, administrative failures and local grievances before they metastasise into crises. By embracing criticism rather than stifling it, the BNP could strengthen its own governance and credibility.

Internationally, Bangladesh's democratic credentials will be closely watched. Investors, development partners and multilateral institutions increasingly consider media freedom an indicator of institutional stability. Demonstrable progress in protecting journalists and reforming restrictive laws would enhance the country's standing and signal a break from cycles of repression.

The digital sphere adds complexity. Social media platforms amplify both investigative reporting and misinformation. The state has a legitimate role in addressing incitement to violence and coordinated disinformation campaigns. But heavy-handed regulation risks chilling legitimate expression. Transparent rulemaking, public consultation and judicial review should anchor any new digital policies.

Civil society, too, has responsibilities. Journalistic standards must be upheld. Ethical lapses, sensationalism or partisan reporting undermine public trust and provide pretexts for regulatory overreach. Professional bodies should strengthen self-regulation, training and fact-checking capacities. A vibrant press is not only free; it is accountable.

The BNP now stands at a crossroads. It can replicate the defensive instincts of its predecessors, viewing critical headlines as threats to authority. Or it can chart a different course, institutionalising safeguards that outlast its own tenure. The latter path requires restraint - a quality often rarer than ambition in politics.

Electoral victories are transient. Institutions endure. By keeping its pledge to respect fearless and unbiased journalism, the BNP has an opportunity to anchor its mandate in democratic principle rather than partisan triumphalism. Failure to do so would not only betray a manifesto promise; it would squander a historic chance to reset the relationship between power and the press.

For citizens who queued to vote in the February election, the hope is simple: that the new government understands that freedom of the press is not a concession granted by rulers, but a right held by the people. In safeguarding that right, the BNP would not weaken itself. On the contrary, it would secure the democratic dividend that only openness can yield.​