Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “No matter how much reform we want in Bangladesh, there will be only as much reform as the bureaucracy of Bangladesh wants. All the reform commissions had given recommendations to the interim government that were immediately implementable. But they were not implemented. Then what is the benefit of blaming only the political forces?” 

He said this on Tuesday afternoon at the Corruption Investigative Journalism Award–2025 ceremony held at the MIDAS Center in Dhanmondi in the capital.

At the event, TIB’s Outreach and Communication Department Deputy Coordinator Zafar Sadiq discussed the media situation in Bangladesh. In it, twelve recommendations were presented, including immediate implementation of all recommendations of the Media Reform Commission.

Among these are: according to the commission’s recommendations, a Journalism Rights Protection Ordinance must be enacted; the Press Council must be abolished and an independent National Media Commission formed; all state-owned media must be given full autonomy by forming a National or Bangladesh Broadcasting Corporation.

Journalists’ financial security must be ensured according to the recommendations of the Labor Law Commission; along with regular salaries and allowances, job protection and security must be provided; medium and large media institutions must be listed on the stock exchange and shares opened for everyone; employees of small institutions must be mandatorily given shares.

To tackle fake and misleading information, a specific method must be introduced in each newsroom of every media outlet. If necessary, multiple trained and skilled staff must be appointed to the position of fact-checker. All media that continuously spread fake and misleading information, rumors, and false news (on online portals and all Meta platforms) must first be given warnings, fines, and light penalties; and if the offenses are repeated even after that, or if the ownership remains undisclosed, those outlets must be shut down and punitive action must be taken against the owners and all concerned.

Specific standards must be set for creating and distributing photo cards. If necessary, every organization’s news-related photo cards must include a QR code system or some identifying mark so they can be easily verified. Media must be inclusive regarding women, Indigenous people, and minorities, and must not behave in a biased manner. The state must provide protection to all media from all kinds of religious and communal incitement and any type of terrorist attack or assault. All forms of harassment cases against journalists must be withdrawn to make the path for independent journalism easier.