Effective press council to be formed: Kamal Ahmed

Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed said the commission has been formed to make the media independent and strong. The commission will recommend the formulation of suitable policies so that the media can play their role properly.

Those who will survive in the journalism competition by following the rules and regulations properly will be acceptable, he added.

Mr Kamal was speaking at a view exchange meeting with journalists of Rangpur division at the conference room of Rangpur district administration on Sunday afternoon.

The head of the media reform commission said normal development of mass media is not possible without healthy competition. "There is a tendency to use the media for personal and business interests or political influence in the country. There should be a minimum salary guarantee for the country's media workers," he said.

"If journalists do not have financial security, they will not have the mentality to work independently," he said.

In the meeting, the participants presented various proposals for media reform.

The proposals include:

• Formation of a media commission
• Establishment of branch offices of PIB at the divisional level to enhance the skills of journalists
• Bridging the gap between capital-based journalists and journalists in rural areas
• Compelling all media to follow the guidelines of the Wage Board
• Recognition of the profession of journalism
• Keeping journalists free from partisan influence
• Establishing control over online media
• Repealing of laws gagging journalists
• Determination of minimum educational qualifications for journalists
• Eliminating party influence on DFP enlistment 
• Providing a unique identification  number to journalists
• Bringing journalists under social security
• Ensuring equality of opportunity for all
• Elimination of discrimination in advertising, etc.

Commission members Shamsul Haque Zahid, Prof Gitiara Nasreen, Begum Kamrunnesa Hasan, Mostafa Sabuj and Abdullah Al Mamun and its deputy secretary Kazi Ziaul Baset, among others, were present at the view exchange meeting.

Around 120 journalists from online, electronic and print media from eight districts and upazilas of Rangpur division joined the meeting.