Bangladesh’s Rush to Form Media Commissions Endangers Press Freedom

ARTICLE 19 has expressed serious concern over the interim government of Bangladesh’s sudden release of draft ordinances aimed at establishing a National Media Commission and a Broadcasting Commission, allowing only three days for public feedback. The organisation warned that the rushed move, taken at the final stage of the interim government’s tenure, lacks transparency and due process and poses a threat to freedom of expression in the country.

According to ARTICLE 19, the draft National Media Commission Ordinance proposes a regulatory body that would remain under direct government control in terms of its structure, status, responsibilities of commissioners, and administrative and financial arrangements. The organisation noted that such a framework would leave the commission vulnerable to political interference and falls well short of international human rights standards. In particular, it contravenes Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which requires media regulators to be independent, impartial, and free from executive influence.

Beyond concerns over institutional independence, ARTICLE 19 highlighted several additional flaws in the proposed ordinance. Notably, freelance journalists are excluded from the definition of ‘journalist’, a move that would deny a significant segment of the media community access to legal protections, accreditation, and safety measures. ARTICLE 19 warned that this exclusion could further weaken Bangladesh’s already fragile media environment.

The proposed Broadcasting Commission Ordinance, the organisation added, reflects similar shortcomings by centralising state control over broadcasting instead of promoting media pluralism and public-interest journalism.

ARTICLE 19 also questioned the timing of the ordinances, noting that they were introduced nearly a year after the Bangladesh Media Reform Commission submitted its report on 22 March 2025. That report included recommendations for establishing a National Media Commission, yet the interim government took no meaningful action at the time. Members of the Reform Commission have since publicly expressed frustration, and ARTICLE 19 said the government’s sudden urgency after months of inaction raises serious concerns about motive and legitimacy.

With Bangladesh set to form a new elected government following the 12 February national election, ARTICLE 19 urged the interim administration to immediately halt the enactment process and leave such significant policy decisions to the incoming government with a fresh democratic mandate.

In its statement, ARTICLE 19 called on the government of Bangladesh to stop the enactment of the draft ordinances, commit to a transparent and inclusive consultation process involving journalists, editors, civil society, and legal experts, and ensure that any future media regulator is fully independent and free from executive control. The organisation also urged the government to recognise freelance journalists under relevant laws, align all media reforms with international human rights standards including Article 19 of the ICCPR and guarantee the safety and free movement of journalists during the election period.

ARTICLE 19 reaffirmed its solidarity with Bangladesh’s media community and called on the authorities to uphold transparency, independence, and human rights in all media-related reforms.