Information and Broadcasting Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam said the government will form a task force to improve quality of newspapers.
“This task force will work for the overall development of newspapers, including determining the actual circulation figures of newspapers with transparency, implementing wage boards, and determining advertising rates,” he said.
The advisor said this at a meeting of stakeholders of the Directorate of Film and Publications (DFP) in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday.
Stressing the importance of publishing newspapers in accordance with government policies, the advisor said, “Newspapers that are published in accordance with government policies will receive government benefits including advertisements. It is also necessary to verify whether media institutions pay taxes or not.”
Stating that the government does not want to close any newspaper, he said that transparency must be ensured at every level related to newspaper publishing and a competitive environment must be created among different newspapers.
He said, “During the previous fascist government, many ministers and MPs became owners of media in various ways. The overall condition of these media outlets should be examined and necessary steps should be taken.”
At the meeting, Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed said that government sponsorship should not be given to newspapers which do not have fair competition. He stressed the need to make separate policies for English newspapers.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
