Govt working on act to protect journalists, says Mahfuz Alam

Though Bangladesh has improved in the ranking of press freedom from 165th to 149th position, media institutions and journalists are still in a vulnerable state in terms of freedom of expression for both media and journalists, speakers said at an event on Sunday.

They observed that lack of security of journalists, particularly financial security and investment of graft money in the media and holding ownership of multi-type media outlets along with politicization have also responsible to create vulnerable situation in the country.

The views came at an event titled 'Brave New Bangladesh: Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom' organised jointly by Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), UNESCO and the Embassy of Sweden at the TIB conference room.

Moderated by TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, Information and Broadcasting Advisor Mohammad Mahfuz Alam attended the event as chief guest.

Among others, Head of Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed presented the keynote paper. AFP Bureau chief Sheikh Sabiha Alam, Chairman of Broadcast Journalists Center and Head of News of Maasranga Television Rejoanul Haq Raza, chairperson and Managing Director of Times Media Group AK Azad spoke as panellists. Two district journalists Shafiullah Kamrul and Anwar Hossain also shared their vulnerability in performing the responsibility.

Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize, Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Nicolas Weeks also spoke on the occasion.

The keynote speaker highlighted the global situation of journalists vulnerable but the Bangladesh media's vulnerability reached a concerning level due to misuse of media systemically, structurally during the last 15 years.

Mentioning cross ownership of television channel, online, print media to block accountability and transparency, he said all these initiatives have not only increased the number of non-professional media outlets but also low paid non professional so-called journalists.

"Without financial security of journalists .. national and local level, freedom of media cannot be achieved," he said adding reform of the media business model, review of media lists and government rate assessment for proper media outlets with right circulation are needed.

The Information Advisor said the interim government has been working to implement those recommendations of the Media Reform Commission which are implementable by them.

He said the government was working to enact a journalism protection act and form a media commission but laid importance on the accountability and responsibility of media and journalists like the government to the people.

Advisor Mahfuz Alam said merging of Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha is possible. But more discussion with stakeholders regarding forming a national broadcasting corporation is needed, he added.

TIB Executive Director highlighted issues like slaughtering cow in front of media house, demand for cancellation of women's commission, social media's use to degrade women's images as severe concerns.

smunima@yahoo.com