TIB Criticises Draft Media Ordinances, Calls Them ‘Mockery’ of Press Freedom

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has slammed the draft National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission Ordinances, calling them a “parting mockery” of public expectations for free and independent media.

In a statement, TIB said the interim government ignored long-standing demands and recommendations of the Media Reform Commission for a single, independent media regulator. Instead, at the final stage of its tenure, it unveiled two draft ordinances creating separate bodies, which TIB argued would place the media under tighter government and bureaucratic control.

The organisation also criticised the move to seek public feedback within just three days, calling it symbolic and insincere. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the proposed commissions’ structure, authority and financing were designed to keep them fully under government influence, contradicting pledges to support media freedom.

TIB urged the government not to rush the ordinances and called on political parties to commit to establishing a unified, independent media commission after the election to safeguard press freedom and professional standards in Bangladesh.