United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Sunday said the government will enhance facilities for newspapers and private television channels, while urging media owners to improve the welfare and working conditions of journalists. Speaking at the ‘Meet the Reporters’ programme at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), he stressed the need to raise journalists’ salaries and said the government plans to set a minimum entry-level salary for journalists. “Media outlets that fail to pay journalists the minimum salary will not be eligible for government facilities,” Mahfuj warned. He said the government will digitise the private television broadcasting system, which will make it possible to monitor how many viewers are watching each channel. “Channels that perform well will attract more advertisements and increase their revenue,” he noted. On the approval of new TV channels, Mahfuj said the government is approving new licences in line with existing policies to encourage positive competition among media outlets. Highlighting the progress in implementing the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations, he said the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has begun work on 13 out of 23 proposals recommended for immediate action. These, he said, will be implemented through new policies and ordinances, while some matters will require decisions from the Advisory Council. Mahfuj added that the draft Journalism Rights Protection Ordinance has already been sent for vetting and will soon be placed before the Advisory Council. The government is also reviewing the Media Workers Act and developing policies for private television channels. Referring to online platforms, he said the scope of online media and OTT services is expanding rapidly. The ministry, along with the ICT Division, is working to bring all online media under a unified framework, adding that outlets earning revenue through digital content must register under this system. On newspaper circulation figures, the adviser said many discrepancies have been detected. The Department of Films and Publications (DFP) recently monitored circulation data, revealing that some newspapers print as few as 500 to 1,000 copies a day. Based on the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations, circulation figures will be verified and advertising rates adjusted accordingly, he said, urging publishers to provide accurate numbers. Addressing journalist safety, Mahfuj said the government will work with the Election Commission to ensure protection for reporters during the upcoming national elections. Responding to a question on establishing a permanent media commission, he said redefining the functions of several departments and organisations under the ministry is necessary first, which makes immediate formation difficult. He also urged all media outlets to maintain fact-checking teams to prevent the spread of rumours. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Alam said the government wants to promote ethics in journalism and reiterated the importance of improving journalists’ salaries. He criticised the rise of “umbrella” news websites that republish others’ content in violation of copyright, calling for stronger respect for intellectual property rights. The event was presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and moderated by General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel. Journalists from print and electronic media, including the Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmed, attended the programme.

In a significant step toward enhancing media cooperation between Bangladesh and China, the Bangladesh-China Apon Media Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday at the CMG Bangla Dhaka office. The MoU was signed by Moinul Hasan Sohel, general secretary of DRU, and Olivia Chu, representative of the Bangladesh-China Apon Media Club, on behalf of their respective organizations. Welcoming the DRU delegates at the ceremony, Yu Kuang Yue, director of the Bangla Department of CMG, expressed his delight over the agreement.   He emphasised the strong bilateral ties that have developed between the two countries over the past 50 years, noting that the media plays a pivotal role in strengthening these relations. “This MoU will serve as a bridge for further collaboration between Chinese and Bangladeshi media,” he said. DRU General Secretary Moinul Hasan said the agreement opens up new avenues for cooperation in sectors such as tourism, health, and education. He added that this initiative will contribute to further solidifying economic ties between the two nations.   DRU Vice President Gazi Anwar highlighted the importance of accurate information. “Bangladeshi journalists can now source news about China directly from Chinese media, ensuring factual and authentic reporting. We want to see China through Chinese eyes, not just through foreign outlets,” he said. South Korean Ambassador seeks enhanced trade and investment in Bangladesh Joint Secretary of DRU, Nadia Sharmin, emphasised the importance of creating a media bridge between the two nations. “The longstanding relationship between Bangladesh and China needed a dedicated media linkage, and today’s agreement fulfills that need. We hope to walk together on the path of technology and development,” she said. Other DRU officials present at the event included Organizational Secretary Abdul Hai Tuhin, Women Affairs Secretary Rozina Rozy, and Publicity and Publication Secretary Mizan Chowdhury. Journalists from CMG Bangla’s Dhaka office also attended the ceremony. During the event, discussions were held on future collaborations including information exchange programs, journalist training, and launching awards for best reporting, aimed at fostering deeper ties and professional development. The Bangladesh-China Apon Media Club was established in December 2024, while the Dhaka Reporters Unity, founded on May 26, 1995, is currently the largest organisation of reporters in Bangladesh.

Speakers at a national dialogue on Wednesday raised concern over Bangladesh’s growing climate-induced urban migration and called for urgent measures to reduce risks and improve living conditions for displaced, disaster-affected, and marginalised communities. Caritas Bangladesh organised the dialogue titled “National Consultation with Journalists on Climate Migration" on Wednesday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), bringing together leading journalists to discuss the issue of climate-driven internal migration. Highlighting the increasing migration of people from climate-vulnerable regions to urban slums due to livelihood losses and displacement they emphasised strengthening civil society and media collaboration in advocating for inclusive urban policies. Participants pointed out that migrants often end up in inhumane conditions, lacking access to basic services and security and the inadequacy of existing government policies to address this crisis was also underscored. At the consultation event, themed on 'Climate Migration and the City: Shaping the Narrative, Influencing Policy', Caritas Bangladesh Director (Programs) Daud Jibon Dash highlighted the organisation’s initiatives to reduce risks and improve living conditions for climate-displaced, disaster-affected, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. The keynote paper, authored by renowned environmental expert and former BRAC University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ainun Nishat was presented by Alexander Tripura, Head of Disaster Management at Caritas Bangladesh. Moderated by prominent development and media professional Dr Jamil Ahmed, Technical Adviser (Advocacy) at Caritas Bangladesh, the event featured remarks on the keynote presentation from senior journalists including Prothom Alo Joint Editor Sohrab Hassan, General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Mynul Hasan Sohel and Chief Reporter of The New Nation, Rafiqul Islam Azad. Speakers emphasised the need for stronger coordination among government departments and called for the development of inclusive urban planning frameworks. Poverty Watch: Climate change threatens to push millions into poverty in Bangladesh Journalists shared their experiences and perspectives related to the issues, and they were urged to produce more investigative reports on these gaps to influence both national and international policy responses. Participants noted that due to cyclones, tidal floods, salinity intrusion, and river erosion, the rate of climate-induced internal migration is rising in Bangladesh. Many affected families are relocating to cities like Dhaka, Khulna, and Chattogram, only to face new challenges such as unsafe housing, lack of water, healthcare, education, and social exclusion. Although several national plans recognise the issue of climate-induced migration, the absence of a dedicated legal framework continues to hinder the inclusion and service delivery for affected populations, they said. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), over 4.7 million people were displaced in Bangladesh due to natural disasters between 2008 and 2014. Research by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit and SCMR estimates that between 16 to 26 million people may be internally displaced due to climate change by 2050; and a 2023 study by German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) revealed that 57% of urban climate migrants come from the coastal district of Satkhira alone. The session concluded with participants expressing hope that increased media attention will enhance public awareness and accelerate policy reform. S Speakers called on journalists to report consistently—and with a human rights perspective—on climate migration, thereby strengthening civil society and media collaboration in advocating for inclusive urban policies.

Speakers from "Justice for Comrades," a platform of retired army officers, have called for the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for various killings, including the killing of 57 army officers during the BDR mutiny, as well as cases of enforced disappearances that occurred under the previous government.Major (Retd) Shakil Newaz made this demand while reading a statement on behalf of the organization, during a press briefing held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital on Tuesday.The platform also called for the reinstatement of 1,000 armed forces personnel who were dismissed during the last government's tenure. Army Chief urges new officers to face challenges with courageHe also said that a full investigation into the killings of army officers during the 2009 BDR mutiny remains incomplete and the real perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice.Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the former Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) filed false cases against some army officers and dismissed them from their job. They were sentenced to different terms in jail, he said.The statement further alleged that several senior officials, including Lieutenant Generals Mamun Khaled, Saif, Abedin and Mujib and Major Generals Ziaul Ahsan and Hamid were masterminds behind the “Aynaghar” incident. It also demanded to make them accountable. Army man killed over land dispute in SherpurMeanwhile, allegations of ‘enforced disappearance’ and killings have been brought against some top officials including former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and former DB Chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, it said.The platform also demanded to arrest them and ensure justice.    

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 21, 2024) said there is someone “paid by BNP,” deployed in the US Department of State regular briefing, to ask questions purposefully for generating negative response.  "There’s someone there who used to work for Khaleda Zia's press wing. He is paid by BNP. He asks questions purposefully to try and get negative answers about Bangladesh. He asks questions intentionally," the minister told reporters at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).  The Foreign Minister was referring to Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, former assistant press secretary to the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Hasan made the remarks when his attention was drawn to him being misquoted at the latest US State Department briefing.  US decision against former army chief Gen Aziz not under visa policy: Foreign Minister "Is the U.S. considering reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladeshi product, as Bangladeshi foreign minister told the – on Saturday, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu assured Washington would consider reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladesh?" Ansarey's question reads.  On the GSP issue, the foreign minister actually said the US wants to help Bangladesh get it back when the program is reintroduced. "I talked to the press based on facts and what is true," Hasan said, adding that Bangladesh and the US are working on the labour front to further improve the overall conditions in line with the US desire, and they want to give it back if the US reintroduces the GSP facility. "After the meeting with the visiting Assistant Secretary Donald Lu, Bangladesh’s ruling prime minister advisor told the reporters that White House and the State Departments are very much willing to remove the sanctions as U.S. imposed sanction on RAB, Rapid Action Battalion, for the extreme violation of human rights and extrajudicial killing. So he said that the State Department and White House working to remove the sanctions," Ansarey said in another media briefing.  DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event.  Read more: Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said that the government of Bangladesh has taken a zero tolerance policy on combating corruption and will continue to work with the United States on this issue. “For combating corruption, we are working with the US. We want to work together and will continue to do that," he told reporters. Hasan was speaking at a “meet the reporters” programme today (May 21, 2024) organised by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event. Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the US decision against former army chief General Aziz Ahmed was not under the visa policy. Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US It was made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh remains engaged with the US and the two countries are working together on combating terrorism, human trafficking and other issues. He said the decision regarding the ex army chief was first conveyed to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. The US Department of State on Monday announced the public designation of General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to what it says was his involvement in "significant corruption". This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entering the United States. His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes, the US State Department said. "Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh," said the US Department of State. Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit, it claimed. "This designation reaffirms the US commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh," said the US government. Read more: Someone “paid by BNP” is deployed at US State Dept briefings: Hasan Mahmud

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers' welfare platform, on Saturday (January 20, 2024) demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government's management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital. Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city's Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning. In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026. The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere. Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS's secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital. Consumer protection a top priority at DITF: Commerce State Minister There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said. There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus. However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added. Dutch NGOs reaffirm interests in Bangladesh He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said. The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on. The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors. ”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added. Dengue claims two more lives

The artists have taken a swipe against the recent "attacks" on films such as "Hawa" and "Saturday Afternoon." At the press conference "Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital Thursday, they questioned the lawsuit for allegedly violating wildlife conservation laws by the Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit against “Hawa” Director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon and demanding a proper explanation for why Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s much-anticipated film "Saturday afternoon" is stuck at the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. The artists put forward a five-point demand. A large number of artists joined the press conference, uniquely designed with barbed wire-fenced tables, organized by the country's entertainment industry's producers, artists, and associates. They demanded freedom of expression for Bangladeshi entertainment content, as well as justice for the two films - "Saturday Afternoon" and "Hawa." Popular artists and content makers, including Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Morshedul Islam, Tariq Anam Khan, Afsana Mimi, Shampa Reza, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Zahid Hasan, Nurul Alam Atique, Masum Reza, Kamar Ahmad Simon, Piplu R Khan, Gias Uddin Selim, Gousul Alam Shaon, Iresh Zaker, Afran Nisho, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Zakia Bari Momo, Nazifa Tushi, and singer Shibu Kumer Shill among others, joined the press conference on Thursday. The five demands are immediate withdrawal of the case against "Hawa" under wildlife conservation laws, a well-justified explanation from the censor board on why "Saturday Afternoon" is not cleared by the censor board and not getting a clearance certificate, the abolishment of the censor board alongside the implementation of an updated and inclusive film certification law with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders, establishment of an updated and inclusive OTT policy with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders and assurance of prior notice before filing any case related to film or content, which must be discussed with the relevant authority. Expressing concerns against the ongoing situations, artists and content makers opined that visual arts, such as film, cannot be created with passion and perfection if such barriers are put forward. “Saturday Afternoon” Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “It’s been three years, yet I did not receive any logical explanation on why “Saturday Afternoon” is not cleared by the censor board. We have appealed against the decision from time to time, yet the situation is not resolved and our film did not get the censor certificate.” “Films are like the headlights of society, and society cannot move forward nor progress if the headlights are forcefully turned off. We sincerely demand the release of our film from the censor board,” Farooki added. Echoing the same, Jaya Ahsan said, “We don’t understand why this film is not cleared for this long. Didn't the Holey Artisan event take place in reality? A novel has been published on the incident, why can't we get the release of “Saturday Afternoon” about the same issue? This film has been unnecessarily put under the fire for no logical reason at all.” Demanding justice against “Hawa,” she added: "Personally, I am known for being an animal advocate. In our surroundings, if we look at the pet market in the capital’s Nilkhet-Kataban area, animals are being treated inhumanely. What is the concerned authority doing in this regard? Films are fiction, should we stop making films?" The artists and content makers expressed their aspiration to see prompt actions from the concerned authorities to resolve the issues and fulfilment of their five-point demands.   Also read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa

Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has expressed its deep concern over a case filed under Digital Security Act (DSA) against its member and Jamuna Television’s senior reporter Nurnabi Sarker. In a joint statement, DRU president Nazrul Islam Mithu and general secretary Nurul Islam Hasib expressed their concern on Tuesday. On June 15, 2021, Lutfunnesa Beauty, former vice-chairman of Trishal upazila of Mymensingh filed the case against Nurnabi Sarker under the DSA. The DUR leaders have demanded to stop the harassment of Nurnabi Sarker and the cancellation of the DSA. Also Read: DRU ludo competition: Samina champion, Lisa runner-up

The Postal Department’s mobile financial service Nagad will sponsor Dhaka Reporters Unity’s annual event of awarding the year’s best reports in different categories. This announcement on “Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2021”  was made on Thursday  at a press briefing of DRU at its Sagar-Runi Auditorium. Read: Nagad secures 18,000 accounts' balance This year, 22 best reports will be awarded in two segments- print and online, and television and radio. Ten veteran editors of the country will be on the judges’ panel.   DRU members can submit their reports published or broadcast from October 1, 2020 to September 20, 2021 for the award nomination. The submission deadline is until 8pm on October 8 and it will not be extended, said DRU General Secretary Mosiur Rahaman Khan. At the end of October, the award will be handed over to the winners at a ceremony. Nagad Executive Director Niaz Morshed Elite said, “Collaborating with DRU to selecting the best reports of the year was a big opportunity for us. We are always in favour of responsible and pro-people journalism.” Creating hype with so many innovations Nagad is already a payment partner of DRU. Read: Nagad hands Tk 3.32 Cr to postal department as revenue share in fiscal 2020-21 President of DRU Mursalin Nomani and its general secretary inaugurated the organization’s annual frees payment procedure by depositing their fees through Nagad. After formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 26, 2019 Nagad has now 5.5 crore subscribers with a daily average payment of BDT 750 crore Convener of “Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2021” Mynul Hasan Sohel and other leaders of the organization were present on the occasion.