Bangladesh Drops Proposal for Independent Media Commission in New Draft Ordinance

A draft ordinance prepared by the Information Ministry has excluded all references to an independent media commission, despite earlier recommendations from the Media Reform Commission that proposed its creation to ensure greater press freedom and accountability.

According to sources, the Media Reform Commission had prepared two draft laws — the Bangladesh Media Commission Ordinance 2025 and the Journalism Rights Protection Ordinance 2025 — aimed at establishing an autonomous media oversight body with clear mandates and operational independence.

Key Proposals Removed

In its final report submitted to the Chief Adviser, the commission recommended that “all forms of media should fall under a unified, independent supervisory body.”

It proposed merging the existing Press Council and the planned Broadcast Commission into a new Bangladesh Media Commission, independent of government control and modeled on global best practices of self-regulation.

The proposed commission would have been financially autonomous, funded by a small share of media revenues — a model inspired by India’s system. The report also stressed that only unconditional government grants should be accepted to preserve independence.

Under the proposal, the independent commission would regulate media ownership and licensing, prevent convicted criminals and loan defaulters from managing media outlets, and oversee ethical standards, journalist accreditation, and education requirements for the profession.

Currently, all media licences in Bangladesh are issued and regulated solely by the Information Ministry, which retains full control over ownership and operational permissions.

Journalists’ Rights Provisions Also Omitted

The reform commission further suggested replacing the Press Council with the proposed independent commission to address growing crises in the media sector and prevent the politicization of journalism.

The body would have served as a grievance redressal forum for journalists facing obstruction or employer abuse, with powers to investigate, mediate, and refer cases for legal action where necessary.

A senior Information Ministry official said the idea of forming an independent commission is “still under discussion with stakeholders,” adding that the ordinance is “at a preliminary stage.”

The ministry’s draft also omitted several protections for journalists’ rights included in the reform proposal.

One dropped provision ensured journalists’ right to privacy, preventing unlawful entry into their homes or seizure of property. Another removed clause had proposed a Tk 1 lakh fine and up to five years’ imprisonment for assaulting or harassing journalists — replaced instead with a vague reference to “relevant sections of the Penal Code.”

Additionally, the ministry’s version excluded a clause requiring the government to protect journalists from violence, coercion, or intimidation by individuals, institutions, or state authorities.

Source: The Daily Star