The interim government is right to seek reforms in the country’s news and media sector plagued with numerous issues since the country gained independence.
However, many of the proposals made by the reform commission are controversial and appear to be ill-intended.
It is worth noting that the reform commission chief once worked for the Prothom Alo, making it likely that the Daily Star-Prothom Alo group influenced his decision making.
The attempts appear to target Bashundhara Group’s media arm, the “East West Media Group.” Such malpractice is unwarranted.
Proposals like limiting a business group’s media stakes to a single outlet would result in mass unemployment for hundreds of journalists employed in other news outlets owned by the same group.
Proposals like “One Media, One House” are viewed as unfair as they infringe on individual freedom and threaten media diversity, which is essential for competition and sustainability.
Listing media houses in the stock market would result is similar job cuts and also losses for investors, as most houses are already loss projects. Furthermore, the news industry is a welfare-oriented sector; enlisting media houses in bourses to generate profit will not yield the intended results.
Other suggestions, like merging state-run media institutions and introducing a uniform salary structure for journalists nationwide, are also seen as impractical. The media landscape in Bangladesh is complex, and the commission’s recommendations fail to acknowledge the challenges faced by media workers in both metropolitan and rural areas.
In a time of economic crisis, when many businesses are struggling, media outlets are still providing vital services despite financial difficulties. The commission’s focus should be on fostering a more professional and competitive media environment, ensuring freedom of the press, and creating fairer advertising distribution. The government’s role should be to support the media without imposing unrealistic and damaging regulations.
Overall, there is hope that the commission will reconsider its recommendations based on a broader understanding of the country’s socio-economic context, engaging with all stakeholders to propose realistic, implementable reforms that can enhance the media sector.
Source: Daily Sun
