Information and Broadcasting State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury has said that media outlets are prohibited from publicising or promoting the activities of the Awami League and its affiliated and associate organisations, including through online platforms and social media.
He said a government notification issued on May 12, 2025, banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated, associate and fraternal organisations. The ban also covers publications and promotional activities through mass media, online platforms and social media.
“I believe the media should take this matter into consideration,” he said.
The state minister made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after a meeting with a delegation of the Bangladesh Broadcast Journalists Centre (BJC) at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Referring to recent incidents of arson, Yaser Khan said those involved in such attacks were pursuing a politics of destruction.
“This is nothing new. Allegations of arson, enforced disappearances, abductions and killings have been associated with their activities since their inception,” he said.
He said a few individuals might gather under the cover of darkness, chant slogans and leave, or set fire to vehicles and buses before fleeing. However, law enforcement agencies were remaining vigilant, he added.
The minister said several people had already been arrested in different areas and steps were being taken to bring those involved in terrorist activities to justice.
He also said Sheikh Hasina, whom he described as the mastermind behind the arson attacks, would be brought back to Bangladesh to face trial, adding that the people of the country wanted to see justice.
Earlier, the meeting discussed various demands and challenges facing broadcast journalists.
The BJC delegation highlighted the financial difficulties faced by television channels, the need to increase journalists’ salaries and benefits, professional independence and modernisation of the broadcasting sector.
Yaser Khan said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government believed in media freedom and wanted responsible journalism.
“Our expectation is that people will receive accurate information through objective news reporting,” he said.
He claimed that, under the prime minister’s instructions, the government had so far refrained from interfering in the operations of any electronic or print media outlet and would continue to do so.
The minister said the delegation had put forward several proposals concerning revenue generation for television channels, development of digital platforms and necessary changes to existing policies.
He said the proposals would be submitted to the ministry in writing and the government would review them before taking necessary decisions.
Regarding proposals to increase television channels’ revenue, he said discussions had also been held on sharing a portion of subscription fees collected from viewers with television channels.
The delegation said television channels in Bangladesh were largely dependent on advertising revenue. Given the prevailing advertising rates, many channels were struggling to cover operational costs and pay journalists regularly.
It proposed that cable operators share a portion of their subscription revenue with television channels to help address the financial crisis.
The delegation also referred to a recommendation in the Media Reform Commission’s report for introducing an interim arrangement of this kind until the digitalisation process is completed. The commission had formulated its recommendations after consultations with around 55 stakeholders, it said.
The BJC representatives urged the government to take initiatives to implement the key recommendations.
They also stressed the need to establish a media commission similar to the Bangladesh Bar Council, saying such a body could help address challenges facing newspapers, television channels and digital media in a coordinated manner.
The delegation further called for greater accountability of media owners to ensure journalists receive proper salaries, benefits and professional dignity.
Without adequate remuneration and workplace benefits, journalists would find it difficult to maintain responsible and professional standards, they said.
The representatives also expressed hope that the environment of non-interference in the media under the current government would continue.
