Government has proposed to bring an amendment to Press Council Act: Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government is committed to ensure press freedom, professionalism, accountability and responsible journalism.

"The government does not support unauthorized, amateur or unethical activities in the name of mobile journalism as such kind of journalism can contribute to the spread of misinformation," he said.

The minister said this while responding to a tabled question raised by National Citizens Party (NCP) lawmaker M Abul Hasnat from Cumilla-4 at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here.

He said the government has proposed to bring an amendment to the Press Council Act 1974 aiming to make the act time-befitting and making the press council a more strengthened, effective and media friendly institute.

The proposed amendments include provisions to prescribe minimum educational qualifications for journalists, introduce a journalist registration system similar to that of the Bar Council and establish effective measures-including financial penalties-for the publication of false, harassing or unethical news
reports.

The proposals also seek to empower the Press Council to initiate investigations on its own motion and take appropriate action against the
dissemination of rumours, fake news, hate speech, or content deemed contrary to the national interest.

In addition, training programmes to enhance the professional skills of journalists are ongoing.

Separately, the government has not yet made any decision on introducing a licensing system for mobile journalists.

However, the matter may be reviewed in light of evolving realities and emerging needs.