By Gopi
Dhaka, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) A report highlighting the restrictive laws and political pressures that continue to limit media freedom and trust in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunus led interim government, was launched by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh.
The report, titled 鈥淎n Assessment of Bangladesh鈥檚 Media Landscape: Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media鈥, offered a comprehensive analysis examining both the challenges and opportunities facing Bangladesh鈥檚 media sector during the crucial period of transition.
The joint assessment, conducted between July and December 2024, offers a timely roadmap for meaningful reform to foster a freer, more independent, and truly pluralistic media environment responding to Bangladesh鈥檚 recent political and social shifts.
Local media reported that Mahfuj Alam, Advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, under the interim government of Bangladesh, attended the event in Dhaka as the chief guest.
鈥淢edia must uphold ethics and accountability, so that people鈥檚 trust is not broken again and generations are not wronged,鈥 said the advisor.
Attending the dialogue, Sonali Dayaratne, Resident Representative to UNDP Bangladesh, said that this joint assessment reinforces what must be done to safeguard media freedom and strengthen public trust.
鈥淎 free, independent, and pluralistic media is the foundation of any vibrant democracy. We are committed to working with partners like UNESCO to advance structural reforms, support media professionals, and raise public awareness about the media鈥檚 vital role as a pillar of democracy,鈥 she said.
Alberto Giovanetti, Counsellor and Head of Political, Economic and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, said, 鈥淭his assessment is a timely reminder that a free, independent and pluralistic media is the bedrock of a vibrant democracy.鈥
鈥淲e thank UNDP and UNESCO for supporting this important initiative and urge all partners to advance the critical reforms needed to protect media freedom and strengthen public trust,鈥 he added.
UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Susan Vize, moderating the event, said that the freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of democratic institutions.
鈥淚f we want to build a society in which we work together towards the principles that realise basic human rights, and to guarantee quality of life, we must ensure that freedom of expression and the media is an essential part of this process,鈥 she mentioned.
Recently, a group of 88 expatriate journalists, writers, researchers, cultural and rights activists raised grave concern over the 鈥渃ontinued torture of journalists and suppression of free speech鈥 in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
In a joint statement, the group alleged that since August 5, journalists in the country have been subjected to unspeakable torture, adding that such incidents have 鈥渇rustrated and disheartened鈥 them.
They further claimed that efforts are being made to suppress freedom of speech under the Yunus administration by 鈥渋mposing various official and unofficial controls鈥 on both mass media and social media, denouncing it as 鈥渟hameful and repulsive.”
Source: IANS