The Bangladesh Media Commission can be formed by combining the currently active Bangladesh Press Council for newspapers and news agencies, and the Broadcast Commission proposed by the previous government for broadcast media and online platforms. This institution must be established as an independent body, free from government control. Media institutions may finance the expenses of this organisation by determining a fixed-rate contribution from their income. As a media regulatory body, the responsibilities that the Bangladesh Media Commission will perform include: a. Determining the qualifications and disqualifications of publishers and editors so that persons convicted of criminal offences and loan defaulters cannot become media owners/editors. b. Determining the minimum educational qualification for journalism. c. Journalists working across the country will be registered with the Media Commission, and the Commission will maintain a list of them. d. It will formulate a code of conduct for journalists and ensure its compliance. e. It will recommend the issuance of licenses for broadcast media (TV and radio) and online portals and ensure compliance with the conditions of those licenses. f. Providing remedies for complaints by individuals, institutions, or groups harmed by false or deliberately motivated news. If this is possible, it will achieve an important advancement in establishing institutional accountability of the media, and the media will be able to earn public trust.

Year
2025
Reform Domain
Media Media
Sub Domain
Bangladesh Mass Media Commission
Source of Reform Proposals
Mass Media Reforms Commission
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 14-Dec-25
This reform proposal has been articulated in the Media Reform Commission Report but has yet to be officially initiated.
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 02-May-26
The Draft National Media Commission Ordinance, 2026 includes selected sub-proposals of this reform proposal, while the remaining sub-proposals remain unresolved. In addition, at an event held in April 2026, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahir Uddin Swapan, mentioned that the establishment of an independent and strong Media Commission for Bangladesh is under consideration, which may be formed following the model of the United Kingdom’s Ofcom.
Observation
    The Draft National Media Commission Ordinance has faced criticism for being prepared hastily and for dropping several key proposals from the Commission’s report. Implementing this proposal would require political buy-in from an elected government. Political parties may therefore need to clearly articulate their positions on this reform in their respective election manifestos.
    As provided in the Draft National Media Commission Ordinance, 2026, Chapter 3 (Powers and Functions of the Commission), 12(1) includes the following provisions:
    a. to ensure the protection and freedom of media/news media and journalism by upholding Article 39 of the Constitution, and to formulate necessary standards on self-regulation and ensure compliance therewith;
    c. to resolve disputes relating to consumer complaints concerning approved electronic and other media/news media in the manner prescribed by rules, and to formulate mandatory guidelines to be followed by media/news media in this regard;
    d. to formulate regulations regarding the minimum qualifications and protection of journalists;
    e. to formulate guidelines regarding the protection of journalists working in approved electronic and online media/news media, and for the resolution of consumer complaints relating to such media/news media.
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It is necessary for the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to conduct annual surveys to verify the expectations and actual experiences of listeners, viewers, and readers regarding the media.
Reform Proposed
a. Eliminating gender discrimination in recruitment, placement, and training to ensure the participation of all genders at all levels of the media; b. Preparing gender-sensitive codes of conduct in each media outlet and establishing systems for providing information, discussion, training, and monitoring for effective implementation of the code of conduct; ensuring infrastructure (e.g., separate toilets, childcare centres) for the smooth participation of all genders; c. Ensuring the utmost caution in the safety and protection of journalists of all genders, prioritising the needs of women; providing transportation arrangements for safe travel; d. Establishing a complaints redress cell in each media office as per the High Court directive on preventing sexual harassment (2009); e. Taking mental health protection measures to cope with various types of pressure in journalism; f. Ensuring that women receive proper maternity leave and do not face any discrimination upon returning to work after leave; g. Formulating clear guidelines and rules for how women will be presented; preparing policies on not publishing or broadcasting stereotypical ideas that create hatred, animosity, or negative attitudes towards women, or hinder their smooth presence in all fields; h. Highlighting the multifaceted roles and participation of women in society; ensuring that the voice and perspective of women are reflected in any news/feature; i. Preparing clear guidelines for language use to avoid direct or indirect humiliation of women through words or descriptions.
Reform Initiated
More research-based knowledge is needed on media literacy’s methods, effectiveness, evaluation, etc.
Reform Proposed
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Glossary

Last Updated: 14th December 2025

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