Media reform to be initiated based on commission’s report: Nahid
Nahid Islam also sought UNESCO and UNDP’s support for the treatment and rehabilitation of children affected by the July uprising
The government will take initiatives to reform the media sector based on the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, Information Adviser Md Nahid Islam said today (18 November).
"Media is a key pillar of democracy. To ensure media freedom, the interim government has formed the Media Reform Commission. Based on its report, reforms will be undertaken across public and private media platforms," Nahid said during a meeting with representatives from UNDP and UNESCO at his office in the Department of Posts and Telecommunications.
International legal expert Professor Dr John Barata Meer lauded the government's decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act as a positive example and expressed his willingness to assist in the media reform process.
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During the meeting, Nahid Islam also sought UNESCO and UNDP's support for the treatment and rehabilitation of children affected by the July uprising, where over 127 children were killed, and thousands injured.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mahbuba Farzana, emphasized that the government is not imposing any reforms but highlighted combating rumors and misinformation as a significant challenge. She sought UNESCO and UNDP's cooperation in addressing this issue.
UNESCO's Head of Communication and Information, Nure Jannat Proma, inquired about labor rights and the safety of media professionals. Adviser Nahid Islam assured that the interim government is prioritizing these issues.
The meeting was also attended by ICT Policy Adviser Faez Ahmed Tayeb, Dhaka University professor Dr Shamim Reza, and senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
