Newspaper Archives | Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh

Prompt payment of advertisement dues by the government and autonomous agencies to newspapers is necessary.

The abolition of import duty on newsprint for the newspaper industry should be considered.

Newspaper advertisement rates have not increased in the last 10 years. The rates must be increased, and the advertisement rates should be increased annually in line with market inflation. The separate classification system for determining advertisement rates must be reviewed and adjusted proportionally.

It is urgent to reform the auditing of newspaper circulation figures. There is corruption in the current system. The conditions for being listed in the media list include a minimum circulation number. For example, for newspapers published from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet divisional cities, it is 6000, from divisional other towns it is 4000, and from other cities it is 3000. This should be the number of sold copies, not the circulation number, which will be subject to verification of paid bills. Newspapers will be media-listed if they have three thousand sold copies in a divisional city outside Dhaka and one thousand in a district city.

Total Reforms Being Tracked

4

01

Reform Proposed

The reform idea or commitment is publicly articulated.

02

Reform Initiated

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

00

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.