Mohammad Sharifuzzaman (Special Correspondent): Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that all discussions, recommendations and documents completed so far regarding the media commission will be considered as important elements of future activities. He said that a consultative committee will be formed for this purpose and a final proposal will be made for the government based on the recommendations of that committee.
The minister said these things while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “PIMHIE Project: Learning & Sharing From Policy Reform to Newsroom Practice” organized by UK International Development and BBC Media Action at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday (May 20, 2026). The Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman was present at the event.
The Information Minister said that the issue was also discussed in a recent meeting of the head of government with the owners’ association and editors. He said that as previously discussed with all the stakeholders, discussions will be held again after the formation of the advisory committee, so that an acceptable and effective framework can be created.
Zahir Uddin Swapan said that the media is an important pillar of the modern state system. The role of the media is very important in keeping the other pillars of the state accountable to the people. Therefore, the formation of the media commission is not only a matter of the government; it is a joint initiative of all the stakeholders concerned.
He also said that on the one hand, the government will work as an equal partner in this process, and on the other hand, it will also play the role of coordinator and manager on behalf of the state.
The minister expressed the hope that domestic and international development partners, media organizations and other stakeholders concerned will play a role as fellow travelers of the government in this initiative.
Among others, the Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, former Chairman of the Media Commission Kamal Ahmed, and Chairman of the Broadcast Journalists Center and CEO of Jamuna Television Fahim Ahmed.
