Editors, journalists urge action on stalled media reform

Top editors and senior journalists on Tuesday stressed the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, warning that continued inaction would further weaken the country’s media landscape.

They expressed disappointment that none of the commission’s recommendations had yet been implemented, and urged the government to initiate the process so the next administration could carry forward the reform agenda.

Speakers also called on media houses to adopt effective self-regulation, noting that press freedom cannot be ensured by government action alone unless the media industry itself takes responsibility.

The observations came at the launch of the five-year Strategic Action Plan on Advocacy for Media Reform in Bangladesh (2025–2030) in Dhaka.

The plan, jointly prepared by the Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) and International Media Support (IMS), outlines measures to safeguard press freedom, strengthen accountability, and build a more inclusive and sustainable media sector.

It was developed through stakeholder consultations, desk research, and expert input based on the Media Reform Commission report.

Speaking at the event, Kamal Ahmed, former chairman of the Media Reform Commission, said stakeholders must increase pressure on the government to implement reforms, alleging that bureaucratic hurdles are stalling progress.

Shamsul Huq Zahid, former commission member and Editor of The Financial Express, said newspaper advertising revenue had dropped by 30 to 40 per cent, making it increasingly difficult to sustain print operations.

He added that private sector advertising had also declined significantly due to sluggish business activity, while the government had not revised official advertisement rates.

Among others, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman, IMS Regional Director Lars Heiberg Bestle, and Action Plan lead Afsan Chowdhury also spoke at the event.