Advisory Council Sessions to End in November: Information Adviser

The Meetings Of The Interim Government’s Advisory Council Will Conclude In November, Information Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam Said On Sunday.

Speaking At A “Meet The Reporters” Event Organised By The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) At Its Segunbagicha Auditorium, Mahfuj Alam Noted That The Government’s Tenure Is Nearing Its End, Leaving Little Scope For Further Cabinet Meetings.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam Was Also Present At The Event.

The Information Adviser Stated That The Media Reform Commission Had Made 23 Urgent Recommendations, Of Which 13 Are Now Being Implemented After Review By Ministry Officials.

“These Are Not Major Reforms, But They Are Achievable Within Our Limited Time,” He Said. “Initially, We Had Three Months. Now We Have About One Month Left. Since The Measures Require Cabinet Approval Or The Promulgation Of Policies Or Ordinances, We Will Not Be Able To Proceed After November Because The Cabinet Will No Longer Sit Once The Election Commission Takes Charge.”

‘Current Ad Rate Will Be Doubled’

When Asked About “Name-Only” Or Fake Newspapers, The Adviser Said The Information Ministry Has Already Compiled A List Of Such Outlets.

“If Journalists Support It, The Government Will Take Action Against Papers That Have Not Published A Single Issue In The Past Year.”

Mahfuj Alam Also Said The Government Plans To Reduce Inflated Circulation Figures And Increase Advertisement Rates.

“The Current Ad Rate Will Be Doubled, But Only For Newspapers That Can Show Authentic Circulation Data,” He Added. “To Qualify For The Benefit, Newspapers Must Also Pay Journalists According To The Government-Approved Wage Board. Those Failing To Provide The Basic Salary Will Not Receive The Increased Ad Rate.”

The Adviser Noted That One Of The Interim Government’s Commitments Was To Reduce The Dominance Of The Awami League In The Media.

“Although We Could Not Achieve Complete Success, Efforts Were Made To Do So As Much As Possible,” He Said. “Since This Government Does Not Want To Shut Down Media Outlets Like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Once Did, No Media House Has Been Closed.”