Govt issues new press accreditation policies for journalists

The interim government has issued new press accreditation policies for journalists of domestic and foreign media organisations working in Bangladesh.

The new policies for 2025, signed by Mahbuba Farjana, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, were issued on Wednesday.

According to the new policy, cards will be issued proportionally to the total number of media editors, executive editors, deputy editors, news editors, divisional editors, reporters, photographers and videographers. However, the number of cards distributed will not exceed 30 percent of the total and no single organisation will receive more than 15 cards.

Currently, two types of press accreditation cards are issued - permanent and temporary. Of these, the permanent card is valid for three years and the temporary card is valid for one year. Under the new policy, everyone will get the same type of card. The card will be valid for three years.

Retired experienced editors, distinguished journalists or columnists will get press accreditation cards as freelance journalists. In this case, at least 20 years of journalism experience in mainstream media and proof of broadcasting or publishing at least 10 reports in mainstream media per year must be submitted.

The policy, which includes those who will receive accreditation cards, states that “electronic media” will refer to public and private television channels, and radio and FM radio stations approved by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while “online news portals/digital news portals” will refer to internet-based news media approved and registered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. All radio stations approved by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Private FM Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2010 will fall under this policy.

In addition, “media” will refer to print, electronic and online communication media registered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which plays an effective role in shaping public opinion by providing news and information to the wider community.

The policy states, "Working journalists shall mean Bangladeshi editors, executive editors, deputy editors, divisional editors, reporters, photographers and videographers working in domestic or foreign media outlets based in Bangladesh; ‘stringer’ shall mean a Bangladeshi representative of a foreign media outlet working in Bangladesh.”

"’Press accreditation card' shall mean a card issued in favour of Bangladeshi journalists working as representatives in Bangladesh for at least one year for the collection and publishing of news in Bangladesh, including representatives of media listed newspapers and periodicals of the Department of Film and Publication (DFP), government-approved television, radio, FM radio and registered online news portals/digital news portals and foreign media outlets. This shall also include government-approved news organisations.”