Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the "No Wage Board, No Media" policy needs to be implemented and urged editors that have ownership positions to resign from unions due to the inherent conflict of interest.
He made the remarks at a roundtable discussion where journalists demanded reviewing Media Reform Commission's recommendations to ensure protection, rights, and professional security of journalists. The event was jointly organised by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and the Journalist Community of Bangladesh.
At the event, journalists suggested implementing a "No Wage Board, No Media" policy, setting a minimum monthly salary of Tk 35,000, and ensuring the implementation of wage board benefits for both print and electronic Alam agreed with Alam said he agreed with the "No Wage Board, No Media" policy, saying, "It needs to be implemented."
He also said, "Editors who take ownership positions should resign from unions, as this created conflicts of interest."
However the CA Press Secretary also pointed out some inconsistencies with their logic, arguing that the provision on "hurting religious sentiments" should remain, saying such safeguards are needed to prevent unrest.
He also stressed the need for certification of journalists, citing the rise of "pseudo-journalism" and unethical reporting.
DRU President Abu Saleh Akon said reforms would be meaningless without unity among journalists.
"We must organize ourselves to secure our rights," he said, pointing out that despite political changes, structural reforms in the media had not materialised yet.
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