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Call grows for free media commission

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 4:16 GMT by The Daily Star

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A Growing Voice for a Free Media Commission in Bangladesh

The struggle for an independent media framework has reached a critical point in Bangladesh. In a series of op‑eds, press‑freedom advocates, journalists, and civil‑society leaders have called for the creation of a free media commission that would operate independently from government influence. The call comes amid a backdrop of increasing press repression, legal harassment, and political pressure that threatens the credibility of Bangladesh’s media landscape.

The Current Legal and Political Climate

Bangladesh’s media operates under the 1999 Press Freedom Act, which grants the government significant regulatory authority over licensing, content, and oversight. Critics argue that the Act has been used as a tool to curb dissent, with several media houses facing shutdowns, license revocations, and punitive fines for content deemed “unpatriotic” or “anti‑state.” The government’s most recent media policy, published in 2023, seeks to streamline licensing but has also tightened monitoring through a newly established “Digital Media Board.” Journalists have warned that such measures can easily morph into censorship.

In 2022, the government introduced the “Bangladesh Media Ethics and Regulations Bill,” which included provisions that would give the Ministry of Information the power to direct media content during “national emergencies.” Although the bill has yet to become law, its passage was perceived as a threat to independent reporting. Several opposition parties, including the Awami League’s rivals, condemned the bill as a direct violation of the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech.

The Call for a Free Media Commission

Against this backdrop, a coalition of journalists and media watchdogs has proposed the establishment of a free media commission. The commission, according to the coalition, would have the following functions:

1. Independent Oversight – The body would operate autonomously from the Ministry of Information, ensuring that regulatory decisions are made based on objective standards rather than political considerations.

2. Protection of Journalistic Freedom – It would serve as a safeguard against arbitrary arrests, license revocations, and punitive fines, offering legal assistance to journalists facing state‑led harassment.

3. Standard Setting – By adopting best‑practice ethical guidelines, the commission would help media outlets maintain professional standards while fostering an environment that encourages investigative journalism.

4. Public Accountability – Regular public reports on media conditions, incidents of censorship, and government‑related interventions would increase transparency and build public trust in the media.

In a statement released on the website of the Bangladesh Journalists Association, a senior member said, “The media’s independence is vital for a healthy democracy. An autonomous commission would signal that the state respects the rights of its reporters and the right of its citizens to know the truth.”

Key Stakeholders and Their Positions

• The Bangladesh Press Council: A body that historically has advised the government on media matters, but its decisions have largely been accepted without question. Some council members support the idea of a commission, albeit with conditions that it remain subject to parliamentary oversight.

• The Ministry of Information: Officials have expressed concerns that an independent commission would reduce the ministry’s ability to enforce national security. A spokesperson argued that “regulation and oversight are essential for a balanced media environment.”

• Civil‑Society Organizations: The Digital Rights Network and the Center for Media Studies have issued joint briefs urging the government to adopt the commission. They also highlighted the role of digital media in informing public opinion, citing recent data showing that 68% of Bangladeshi internet users rely on digital news sources.

• Opposition Politicians: Members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jatiya Party have been vocal in their support for the commission, linking it to the broader struggle for democratic governance.

Historical Context and Recent Incidents

Bangladesh’s media history has been punctuated by periods of intense suppression. The 1975 coup and subsequent martial law era saw the forced closure of independent newspapers. In the 1990s, several journalists were detained on allegations of defamation or political agitation. More recently, in 2021, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) documented the detention of five journalists for covering protests against government‑backed development projects. The incident sparked international condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Additionally, the crackdown intensified in 2023 when a prominent investigative journalist was arrested for publishing a report on corruption within a state‑owned conglomerate. Though the journalist was released on bail, the case underscored the fragility of press freedom in the country.

International Benchmarks

International observers point to models such as the European Union’s “Independent Media Authority” and India’s “National Media Commission” as examples of how countries can structure regulatory bodies that balance oversight with editorial independence. The Bangladesh coalition cites these models as potential frameworks for tailoring a commission that respects local realities while meeting global standards for press freedom.

Next Steps and Possible Compromises

The call for a free media commission has galvanized public discourse, but a consensus on its structure remains elusive. Several compromise proposals have emerged:

• Hybrid Commission: A body with a mix of elected journalists and independent experts, while still being accountable to Parliament.

• Legislative Oversight: An independent commission whose decisions can be reviewed by an independent judicial panel to avoid executive overreach.

• Funding Mechanisms: To prevent political manipulation, the commission would be funded through a combination of government appropriations, independent donations, and a modest licensing fee collected from media outlets.

The Bangladesh Parliament is slated to hold a series of hearings on the matter in the coming months. The coalition’s leaders hope that these discussions will lead to a draft bill that can be passed with broad support.

Conclusion

The debate over a free media commission in Bangladesh reflects a deeper clash between the state’s desire to control public discourse and the media’s fundamental role as a watchdog. As the country navigates the post‑COVID‑19 era, the integrity of its democratic institutions will increasingly depend on the health of its press. The establishment of an independent media commission could serve as a pivotal step in protecting journalists, ensuring transparency, and restoring public trust in Bangladesh’s media ecosystem. For now, the call for a free media commission remains a clarion plea for a more open, accountable, and resilient press that can inform citizens, hold power to account, and contribute meaningfully to national dialogue.