UNESCO representative meets info adviser

UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Sue Vize today met with Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam at his office at secretariat here.

During the meeting, the adviser said that the government has already taken several initiatives to reform the media, said a press release here.

Mahfuj said it has been decided to form a taskforce to reform the circulation audit system of newspapers. In addition, work is underway to formulate an ordinance related to the protection of journalistic rights, he added.

He said the ordinance will be issued shortly.

The adviser also hoped that it would be possible to implement some other media-related reform activities in the next few months.

Regarding the freedom of the media in Bangladesh, Mahfuj said that at present there is no pressure from the government on the media. The media is completely independent in terms of news dissemination, he added.

The adviser further said that initiatives have also been taken to formulate a code of conduct for newspapers and journalists based on discussions with media institutions and relevant stakeholders.

UNESCO International Consultant Lena Fox was present at the event.