Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam announced that the government is diligently working to formulate an ordinance to safeguard journalists’ rights. He made this statement during a discussion focused on establishing a newspaper wage board and drafting an ordinance to protect journalists’ rights, held at Tathya Bhaban in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahfuj expressed optimism that the ordinance could be finalized during the tenure of the current interim government. The proposed draft, developed by the Media Reform Commission, is under review, with the government considering various aspects to ensure the protection of journalism rights. Mahfuj emphasized the importance of consulting relevant stakeholders before finalizing the ordinance and urged journalist organizations and media houses to submit their written opinions and proposals within the next 10 days.
Regarding the newspaper wage board, Mahfuj noted the involvement of multiple ministries in its implementation and stated that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is addressing the obstacles hindering progress. He called for specific proposals to facilitate the wage board’s implementation and highlighted the necessity of resolving inconsistencies in newspaper circulation.
Mahfuj also mentioned that advertisement rates in newspapers would be increased and shared that the ministry has initiated steps to clear arrears in the advertising sector. During the previous government’s tenure, advertising arrears stood at Taka 75 crore, which has now reduced to Taka 36 crore, and efforts are ongoing to settle these debts.
He further stressed the importance of increasing journalists’ salaries, stating that ensuring adequate compensation would resolve many existing issues in the media. Media houses were urged to raise journalists’ salaries to a reasonable level.
Journalist leaders participating in the discussion expressed dissatisfaction with journalists being categorized as workers under existing law, advocating for the authority of journalists’ interests to be centralized within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, PIO Md. Nizamul Kabir, BSS Managing Director Mahbub Morshed, and other key representatives from media and government sectors.