United News of Bangladesh

Media leaders, editors and rights advocates on Sunday  stressed the urgent need for self-regulation, institutional reform and greater accountability to rebuild public trust in Bangladesh's media. They made the observations at an interactive discussion organised by UNESCO and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at Meghomala Auditorium of MIDAS Centre in Dhanmondi, marking the World Press Freedom Day 2026. The event was convened under the theme, "Rebuilding Public Trust: Media Independence and Democratic Accountability in Bangladesh." TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman moderated the programme. Speaking at the event, Iftekharuzzaman said self-regulation is a fundamental and indispensable component of a free and responsible media and self-regulation can only function effectively within a supportive political and governance framework. Without such an environment, he said self-regulation risks becoming a tool for control and surveillance rather than a mechanism for genuine independence. He also expressed concern over existing digital regulations, describing some as draconian and questioning whether they would be used to support or suppress media self-regulation. The media must develop and enforce its own code of conduct in an environment conducive to freedom, he said Iftekharuzzaman further warned that self-regulation can be misused as a slogan to justify political control over the media. When partisan political interests dominate the media landscape, the very concept of self-regulation becomes deeply compromised, he added. Referring to past controversies involving The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, he said those incidents were not solely the result of mob pressure or government failure."There were inspirers and rejoicing institutions within the media sector itself," he said, urging the industry to confront its internal shortcomings and ensure accountability. Kamal Ahmed, Consulting Editor of The Daily Star and head of the Media Reform Commission under the interim government, emphasised that self-regulation is essential to restoring public confidence in the media. "The sooner we establish effective self-regulation, the sooner public trust will return," he said. He called for a comprehensive code of ethics covering newspapers, television, radio and online platforms. Such standards should be enforced by an independent regulatory or facilitative body, ideally a media commission, he said. Kamal also spoke of "malicious actors" who exploit media ownership for personal, financial or political gain. Some individuals invest in media outlets not to serve the public but to conceal wrongdoing or secure unlawful advantages, said Kamal. Such actors must eventually be removed to create a healthier, more disciplined media environment. He added that the government's role should be to provide legal recognition, policy support and institutional backing to media organisations that comply with ethical standards and directives issued by an independent media commission. Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune, stressed the importance of establishing autonomous and functional institutions to protect press freedom. He said that even government-affiliated bodies should operate independently with their own budgets. If Bangladesh's existing institutions prove ineffective, he suggested considering successful international models. He also proposed that press councils could be established through initiatives led by the media community itself. World Press Freedom Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, is observed globally to reaffirm press freedom and freedom of expression as essential pillars of democratic governance and sustainable development.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (Southern region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Cumilla-4 MP, on Sunday accused Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of effectively admitting to “political hypocrisy” over electoral commitments, while alleging that Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman had repeatedly misled parliament regarding judicial administration. Speaking at a national convention on energy, economy, human rights, reform and referendum organised by his party at Kakrail in the capital, Hasnat Abdullah said the Home Minister had openly conceded in parliament that his party accepted all decisions taken by the interim government solely to secure electoral participation – commitments they now have no intention of honouring. "This is nothing but hypocrisy towards the people of this country." Turning to police reform, he alleged that the government has no genuine interest in restructuring the Police Commission, adding that the force continues to be used as a political instrument, a pattern he said persisted for 17 years. Hasnat Abdullah noted that the minister has concentrated all authority over transfers and promotions within the police force in his own hands. "Police officers are human beings, too. We want their security ensured. Reform is necessary for that, yet the government is paying no heed." On judicial reform, he accused the Law Minister of misleading parliament. While the minister claimed that judicial postings and promotions fall outside his jurisdiction, the NCP leader said the reality on the ground tells a different story. "On paper, it may not be under the Law Minister, but in practice, judicial appointments and promotions flow directly from his hands." Drawing a pointed parallel with the ousted Awami League government, he warned that the current administration is increasingly bent on concentrating power. "Just as Sheikh Hasina kept all authority centralised, this government too wants everything in its own hands. But they are forgetting that even Hasina, at the height of her power, could not survive." Hasnat Abdullah also claimed that voters who backed the BNP now feel deceived, saying the government has already begun betraying public trust and is heading down the path of fascism. He called on supporters to reorganise and vowed that all such attempts would be collectively resisted.  

Prime Minister's Adviser on Policy and Strategy Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Sunday said the government is committed to fostering a ‘healthy and constructive’ relationship with the media, emphasising that a democratically elected government should never be in conflict with the press. "The Prime Minister also shared this view. We want a healthy media environment where criticism is welcomed," he said at an interactive discussion jointly organised by UNESCO and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at  MIDAS Centre in the capital to mark World Press Freedom Day 2026. The event was convened under the theme, "Rebuilding Public Trust: Media Independence and Democratic Accountability in Bangladesh." Dr Zahed encouraged media outlets to continue offering constructive criticism, assuring that the government would carefully consider such inputs in policymaking. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman moderated the programme. The event was held in two phases. During the inaugural session, Iftekharuzzaman delivered the welcome address and introduced the theme and objectives of the programme. Opening remarks were delivered by Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, and Paola Castro Neiderstam, First Secretary for Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality at the Embassy of Sweden. The second phase featured an interactive panel discussion and audience dialogue. The panelists included Kamal Ahmed, Consulting Editor of The Daily Star; Fahim Ahmed, Chairman of the Broadcast Journalists Center; senior television journalist Shahnaz Munni; and Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune. The discussion was followed by an open floor session where journalists, experts and participants exchanged views on the challenges and prospects of independent journalism in Bangladesh. Addressing the gathering, Zahed said the government has taken seriously the growing problem of cyberbullying, particularly targeting journalists and women. He said the Prime Minister's Office will establish a dedicated cell to monitor cyberbullying. The government is committed to protecting media freedom while tackling digital abuse, he added. Zahed also confirmed that the government would hold discussions with the Media Reform Commission. He stressed the need for self-criticism within the media, observing that prolonged autocratic rule had significantly influenced media culture. Many journalists who entered the profession over the past 15 to 17 years may have developed a different understanding of journalism, contributing to internal challenges, he added. He said media organisations must reassess their understanding, standards and boundaries of journalism. Questioning the current relevance of state-owned broadcasters, Zahed said Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are no longer central sources of news in an era dominated by private media. He said BTV operates on a budget exceeding Tk 300 crore while generating only around Tk 15-16 crore in revenue, making it heavily subsidised. He questioned what BTV currently offers beyond news and suggested that it should focus more on public welfare and national interest. Zahed expressed hope that BTV would be utilised in a manner that genuinely serves the public as a national broadcaster. Emphasising the importance of media literacy, he said such education should begin at the school level, where foundational learning takes place. He observed that media literacy remains particularly weak across South Asia and many other regions, worsening media-related challenges. Zahed underscored the need to distinguish between subjective opinions  including harsh criticism and outright fake news. World Press Freedom Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, is observed globally to reaffirm press freedom and freedom of expression as essential pillars of democratic governance and sustainable development. At a crucial juncture in Bangladesh's ongoing reform process, the organisers said the event aimed to provide a platform for reflection on the role of independent and professional journalism in promoting transparency, countering misinformation and fostering informed democratic participation. The programme brought together government representatives, media professionals, civil society members, academics, development partners and youth to discuss the challenges facing the media and identify practical ways to strengthen media credibility and restore public trust.

An unidentified man was killed after being hit by a train while walking along railway tracks in Shambhuganj railway station area of Mymensingh on Sunday morning. Haor Express passenger train which had departed from Mohanganj in Netrokona in the morning was heading towards Dhaka. The train hit the man, aged around 50, leaving him dead on the spot around 10 am, said Md Akhtar Hossain, Mymensingh Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge(OC). Efforts are underway to identify him, he said.

The University of South Florida (USF) community gathered in grief to honour two Bangladeshi students who were murdered last month, with hundreds attending a solemn vigil on campus. Students, faculty and administrators lined up at Crescent Hill, near the Marshall Student Center, on Friday afternoon to place flowers in memory of Nahida Sultana Bristy and Zamil Limon, said a press release. Participants at the vigil offered condolences and support to the victims’ families and friends. Murdered in US: Limon starts final journey for home in coffin “We become the village for one another,” said Imam Hassan Sultan while opening the programme with a prayer.

A young man was found hanging at his house in the city’s Railway New Colony on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Nazmul Hossain, 35, son of Ali Ahmed Farazi of the colony. Inspector (Investigation) of Sadar Police Station Mizanur Rahman said the youth had sought Tk 2,500 from his father on Friday night. As the father refused to pay the sum, he left the house and remained missing. 8 workers killed in truck-pickup collision in Sylhet “Such incidents of leaving home had occurred before as well,” he said, adding that the family had not maintained contact with him after he left. On Sunday morning, the father went out to look for him and found him hanging inside the house. On information, police recovered the body around 10:00am and sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

The body of a local Krishak Dal leader was exhumed following a court order, around 14 months after his burial in Terbeki of Lakshmipur municipality on Sunday. The body of Shahadat Hossain Parash, former vice-president of the district unit Krishak Dal, was exhumed around 11:30am from the family graveyard . Executive Magistrate Hasan Muhammad Nahid Sheikh Sumon and Medical Officer of Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital Arman Hossain were present during the exhumation. Parash, son of Jalal Uddin of Shamsherabad area, died in Jorarganj Mostan Nagar area of Chattogram district on March 7 last year. According to family members, after returning from abroad, Parash had gone to Chattogram with his friend Mohon to purchase a soil excavation vacuum machine. He was carrying Tk 10 lakh for purchasing the machine at the time. The body was sent to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy and it will be reburied after the examination, said Nahid Sheikh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called upon deputy commissioners (DCs) to play a proactive role in implementing the government’s promises made to the people with a spirit to move ahead, stressing accountability, transparency and efficiency in building a people-friendly administration. “I hope that, with your talent and competence, you will be able to play a vital role in efficiently implementing every promise made by the government to the people,” he said while inaugurating the four-day DC Conference-2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The Prime Minister categorically said the government is committed to implementing every pledge of its election manifesto and the July National Charter as signed before the people. “We will implement each commitment step by step.” PM opens DC Conference, issues directives on govt priorities for field administration “You are at the highest level of administration in running the state. You are one of the main driving forces in building a strong, accountable, lawful and people-friendly state system,” he told the DCs. Highlighting governance priorities, Tarique Rahman said good governance is the foundation of the current administration. “It requires efficient management, capable leadership and, above all, accountability.” He said the government’s position against corruption is clear and that it does not want to make any compromise with corruption In his directives to the DCs, the Prime Minister emphasised the timely implementation of development projects, maintaining the highest transparency in expenditure and ensuring quality in work. He also urged officials not to use excessive legal complexities as excuses, but to adopt realistic, effective and people-oriented decision-making so that citizens can receive timely benefits from government programmes. Referring to sports talent programme – Notun Kuri Sports – inaugurated in Sylhet on Saturday, Tarique Rahman said enthusiasm of young participants should inspire officials. “Let our spirit be like those children – their desire to move forward. That should be the spirit of this conference,” he said.  

A septuagenarian man was killed after a bus and a truck collided on the Magura-Dhaka highway in Magura Sadar upazila on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Abdul Kuddus, 75, a resident of Gopinathpur village in the upazila. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadar Police Station Ashiqur Rahman said the bus-truck collision took place in front of the Primary Teachers Training Institute around 8:00am, causing both vehicles to lose control. 8 workers killed in truck-pickup collision in Sylhet At that time, Kuddus, who was standing by the road, was hit by the truck, leaving him critically injured. Locals rushed him to Magura 250-bed Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

A child undergoing treatment with measles-like symptoms at Rangpur Medical College Hospital has died. The deceased, identified as Zakir, aged 22 months, died at the hospital’s paediatric isolation ward around 8:00pm on Saturday, Dr ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, assistant professor of the paediatrics department at hospital, said on Sunday morning. According to hospital sources, Zakir, son of Sabuj Mia of Ulipur in Kurigram, was admitted to the hospital on the night of April 30 with measles-like symptoms. Meanwhile, sources at the office of the divisional health director said 49 new patients with symptoms consistent with measles were identified across the Rangpur division in the last 24 hours till Sunday morning. Of the newly identified patients, 30 were admitted to Dinajpur General Hospital and 19 to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, according to health officials.