Media Archives | Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh

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.

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.

More research-based knowledge is needed on media literacy’s methods, effectiveness, evaluation, etc.

As a long-term measure, media literacy must be included in the curriculum of different levels of education.

Various workshops, seminars, and sessions can be organised in classrooms to enhance media literacy knowledge and skills among secondary and college students (including equivalent madrasas). Researchers and thinkers on media literacy must be involved in these activities. These activities can be undertaken through a combined initiative of the relevant ministries, research institutions/NGOs, and academia.

It is necessary to introduce specific systems/methods for verifying misinformation/fake news in every newsroom. Responsible and trained journalists can do this work. However, technological support should also be in place. To address the shortage of adequate investment in truth verification activities due to the financial crisis in the media, the possibility of arranging a larger and collective initiative within the news industry can be considered. The right of this initiative to work independently must, of course, be ensured.

Since all media are now becoming multimedia-dependent in content creation, the Reforms Commission deems it appropriate to merge the two institutions, given the future of the press. If merged, it will be transformed into an intense national media training and research institution/institute.

Media organisations will ensure that safety equipment and training are provided to all journalists, where applicable. The institution’s obligation to provide legal assistance in resolving any lawsuits related to professional work must be ensured.

Media organisations will provide photographers/video journalists with the necessary equipment.

No media outlet shall appoint any journalist, whether temporary, permanent, or contractual, without an appointment letter, identity card, photo, or salary.

Total Reforms Being Tracked

27

14

Reform Proposed

The reform idea or commitment is publicly articulated.

11

Reform Initiated

Preliminary steps are taken (e.g., circulars or notices by relevant...

01

Legal and Policy Framework

The reform is codified in policy, law, or regulation.

01

Operationalisation

Institutional or administrative mechanisms are established for the reform delivery.

00

Action Implementation

Tangible actions showing visible progress or outcomes are taken.