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He said that due to politicisation of the media, journalists often suffer within the industry.

“We need a fact-finding investigation into the activities of the media outlets during 15 years of the autocratic regime. Accountability is essential in our media sector.”

The adviser added that the Journalist Protection Law, which at the review stage, is feasible and necessary. “We’re trying to implement it. We want to adopt every positive approach for the betterment of journalists.”

Expressing concern about the financial practices of many outlets, Mahfuj said, “You’ll be surprised -- one or two media offices at most pay taxes. Many of them operate through political understanding, and there’s no policy for them to contribute to the state through taxation.”

He also stressed the need for reassessing media licence and advertisement policies.

“We’ve formed a task force with the Department of Films and Publications to revise newspaper advertisement rates and licences. Government advertisement rates should reflect current inflation,” he said.

Regarding the state-run media offices, the adviser supported merging of Bangladesh Betar (radio), BTV (television), and BSS (news agency) into a single National Broadcasting Corporation.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring independence of broadcast media.

Addressing the challenges faced by journalists based outside Dhaka, Mahfuj said, “We must sit for discussion on what should be standard practices for them. At the same time, we don’t need 30 to 40 local newspapers in an area. Protection of local journalists is important.”

He further mentioned that the government is evaluating how licences were issued to televisions and online news outlets and is working to finalise a comprehensive broadcast policy.

Additionally, a proposal for forming an Information Commission is being considered.

He underlined that press freedom cannot be ensured without political consensus.

“We may enact 10 good laws, but if the political leadership doesn’t continue or implement them, these will not be effective. We’re trying to address issues such as harassment and legal actions against journalists.”

The adviser said the government is in an embarrassing situation over murder and false cases filed against journalists.

Various groups are filing such cases out of personal resentment, Mahfuj said.

He said the government is working to streamline the system by bringing everything from the law ministry to the home ministry under a common framework to stop false cases. Efforts are being made to ensure that no one is arrested or harassed based on such false charges, he added.

The adviser further said anyone can file a case, but there should be discussions on the action the government is taking.

“Cases are often filed against unknown persons. There will be arbitrary arrests under fabricated charges. Not just journalists -- you or I could also fall victim to this. We oppose this,” he added.

Mahfuj said the government is not restricting people from writing. “People can write freely. The government isn’t stopping anyone.”

Presenting the keynote paper at the event, Kamal Ahmed, chief of the Media Reform Commission, said journalists in Bangladesh continue to face abuse and even murder charges, an unacceptable reality.

He stressed that fair remuneration and principled institutional support are essential to ensuring press freedom and independent journalism. Both journalists and media houses are experiencing financial insecurity, which is forcing them to make compromises.

“Some have claimed that our commission’s proposal to transform media outlets into public limited companies is unrealistic, arguing that most outlets are either non-profitable or failing enterprises. However, financial reports obtained from the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies reveal that over a dozen media companies are making profits. This demonstrates that their proposal is not only realistic but also feasible.”

Kamal said, “Too many media outlets are operating haphazardly in the market. Many rely on political patronage or vested groups. Even if they fail to attract audiences, they continue operating by offering unreasonably low advertisement rates, harming the entire sector.”

He added that self-censorship among the media houses and threats against journalists are increasingly driven by social media intimidation and so-called “mob violence”. Although the government is expected to control these strictly, little effort is visible in this regard.

Speaking at the programme, Swedish Ambassador Niclas Linus Ragnar Weeks remarked that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to combat misinformation and propaganda online. “Even today, journalists are saying they have to filter their reporting and cannot work freely.”

Acknowledging Bangladesh’s slight improvement in global media freedom rankings, the diplomat stressed the need for ensuring safe and equitable workplaces for women in media.

“Human rights cannot be guaranteed without a free press,” he said, adding, “When a journalist’s freedom of expression is taken away, the general public loses their voice too.”

AK Azad, president of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), criticised the deteriorating state of press freedom in Bangladesh, saying, “The condition of free media and independent journalism is worsening by the day.”

Pointing out that Bangladesh’s improvement in the World Press Freedom Index was during the interim government, Azad said, “There was hardly any space to speak freely before. We’ve moved up 16 steps. But who can guarantee that we won’t fall 32 steps once a political government comes to power?”

He also criticised the Press Council, calling it a “crippled and paralysed organisation”.

Azad, also the managing director of Times Media Ltd, said, “Who will ensure our safety? Why should a journalist who makes an error be imprisoned under the Digital Security Act? Why did Mushtaq Ahmed have to die in jail? What was his crime? Has anyone ever dared to ask these questions? There was no space for such questions.”

Azad also alleged that government’s “secret agencies” interfere in news reporting and said journalists based outside Dhaka work under constant fear.

He mentioned the killings of two local correspondents of Samakal for their reporting.

Other speakers at the seminar include Susan Vize, head of office and Unesco representative to Bangladesh; Sheikh Sabiha Alam, AFP Bureau chief; Rejoanul Haq Raza, chairman of Broadcast Journalist Centre; and TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, who moderated the event.