Editors’ Council expresses concern over draft media ordinances ahead of poll

Editors’ Council has expressed concern over the process and timing of the formulation of two draft ordinances related to the National Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission.

The ordinances were recently made public and are available on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

As the election is approching, the Editors’ Council considers the hasty publication of such important draft ordinances with far-reaching implications to be undesirable and unreasonable.

Draft laws that are directly related to media freedom, professional standards of journalism, and the future of the broadcasting system cannot be acceptably formulated without proper discussion and review.

The council in a statement issued by its president Nurul Kabir and general secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud also said the structure and provisions of these draft ordinances clearly raise concerns about increased state control rather than the protection of media freedom.

Moreover, the initiative to complete the law-making process by seeking opinions within a limited time-frame runs contrary to participatory and democratic practices.

The Editors’ Council believes that the enactment of such important laws should take place after the formation of an elected parliament, through broad and meaningful consultations with all relevant stakeholders -- journalists, editors, media organisations, and representatives of civil society.

When it comes to ensuring media freedom and professional security, haste is not the answer, rather, a transparent, participatory, and responsible process is in the best interest of the country and democracy.