Dhaka: The government has officially established an 11-member Media Reform Commission, appointing veteran journalist Kamal Ahmed as its chief. This development was confirmed through a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commission comprises several notable figures, including Professor Dr. Gitiara Nasreen from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, and Shamsul Huq Zahid, Editor of The Financial Express. Other members include Akhter Hossain Khan, Secretary of the News Papers Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB); a representative from the Association of Television Owners; Syed Abdal Ahmed, former secretary of Jatiya Press Club; Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna Television and trustee of the Broadcast Journalism Centre; Jimi Amir, journalist and convener of the Media Support Network; Mustafa Sabuj, Bogura correspondent of the Daily Star; Titu Dutta Gupta, deputy editor of The Business Standard; and Abdullah Al
Mamun, a student.
The newly formed commission is tasked with initiating its work promptly, gathering opinions from all relevant stakeholders, and submitting its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus within a 90-day timeframe, as stated in the notification. The chief and commission members will be entitled to status, salary, and benefits as determined by the government. However, any member wishing to work voluntarily without benefits must seek approval from the chief adviser.
The formation of the Media Reform Commission follows the government’s recent announcement on October 17 regarding the establishment of four additional reform commissions focusing on health, mass media, workers’ rights, and women’s affairs.