Data and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Sunday stated the federal government will improve amenities for newspapers and personal tv channels, whereas urging media homeowners to enhance the welfare and dealing situations of journalists.
Talking on the ‘Meet the Reporters’ programme on the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), he pressured the necessity to elevate journalists’ salaries and stated the federal government plans to set a minimal entry-level wage for journalists.
“Media shops that fail to pay journalists the minimal wage is not going to be eligible for presidency amenities,” Mahfuj warned.
He stated the federal government will digitise the personal tv broadcasting system, which is able to make it attainable to observe what number of viewers are watching every channel. “Channels that carry out effectively will entice extra commercials and enhance their income,” he famous.
On the approval of latest TV channels, Mahfuj stated the federal government is approving new licences according to current insurance policies to encourage constructive competitors amongst media shops.
Highlighting the progress in implementing the Media Reform Fee’s suggestions, he stated the Data and Broadcasting Ministry has begun work on 13 out of 23 proposals beneficial for quick motion. These, he stated, will likely be carried out by new insurance policies and ordinances, whereas some issues would require choices from the Advisory Council.
Mahfuj added that the draft Journalism Rights Safety Ordinance has already been despatched for vetting and can quickly be positioned earlier than the Advisory Council. The federal government can also be reviewing the Media Staff Act and growing insurance policies for personal tv channels.
Referring to on-line platforms, he stated the scope of on-line media and OTT providers is increasing quickly. The ministry, together with the ICT Division, is working to deliver all on-line media below a unified framework, including that shops incomes income by digital content material should register below this method.
On newspaper circulation figures, the adviser stated many discrepancies have been detected.
The Division of Movies and Publications (DFP) just lately monitored circulation information, revealing that some newspapers print as few as 500 to 1,000 copies a day. Based mostly on the Media Reform Fee’s suggestions, circulation figures will likely be verified and promoting charges adjusted accordingly, he stated, urging publishers to offer correct numbers.
Addressing journalist security, Mahfuj stated the federal government will work with the Election Fee to make sure safety for reporters throughout the upcoming nationwide elections.
Responding to a query on establishing a everlasting media fee, he stated redefining the features of a number of departments and organisations below the ministry is important first, which makes quick formation troublesome.
He additionally urged all media shops to keep up fact-checking groups to stop the unfold of rumours.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Alam stated the federal government needs to advertise ethics in journalism and reiterated the significance of enhancing journalists’ salaries.
He criticised the rise of “umbrella” information web sites that republish others’ content material in violation of copyright, calling for stronger respect for mental property rights.
The occasion was presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and moderated by Normal Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel.
Journalists from print and digital media, together with the Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmed, attended the programme.
