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At the discussion, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said his government has been working to introduce allowances for retired journalists, with his ministry currently drafting eligibility criteria for the benefit.

He added that the government is also working to formulate an advertisement policy so media outlets can benefit from government advertising.

Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, said economic reforms cannot take place without democratic reforms.

He also criticised the interim government’s signing of the US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States.

Shamsul Huq Zahid, editor of The Financial Express and a member of the media reforms commission of the interim government, expressed disappointment that not a single recommendation suggested by the commission was implemented.

Shawkat Hossain Masum, head of Online at Prothom Alo, suggested conducting impact analyses on reform progress so journalists can report based on the economic impact.