Information and broadcasting minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Tuesday said that a modern and time-appropriate mass media policy, along with a Media Commission, would be formulated by August to protect the interests of journalists, media owners and newspaper employees.

He also said that the proposed commission would work to bring incidents of ‘irresponsible journalism’ and disorder caused by the misuse of media under a legal framework for trial.

The minister made the  remarks at a press briefing held at the Press Information Department conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital Dhaka.

Referring to wage boards and media management, he said that ensuring the timely payment of journalists and protecting them from unprofessional practices were the responsibilities of both the government and media owners.

He said that the government was working to create a clear and structured legal framework to resolve disputes between journalists and media owners.

‘By July–August, we aim to formulate an acceptable policy and establish a commission to ensure the interests of all parties,’ he said.

The minister further said that a committee would be formed to submit a proposal to the government by July for establishing the Media Commission.

He noted that discussions had already been held with editors as well as newspaper owners in the presence of the prime minister in this regard.

‘There is agreement among all stakeholders that some disorder exists in media management,’ he said, adding that there was a consensus on the need for a uniform regulatory framework — not control — to protect everyone’s interests.

He said that the state would participate as both a service provider and recipient, like other stakeholders, and that a Media Commission had been proposed to ensure a unified regulatory system for all.

Swapon also said that efforts were under way to make the existing Press Council more effective.

The minister also said that the discussions included issues such as false cases and ‘irresponsible journalism,’ which he said contributed to disorder in the country.

Current laws do not clearly define such acts as offences, leading aggrieved parties to use other legal provisions, he said, adding that the proposed Media Commission would help address these legal gaps.