Info ministry gets another 90 days to examine Mass Media Employees Bill

The fate of the much-debated-about Mass Media Employees (Services Conditions) Bill 2022 seems to be bleak as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry today got another 90 days to examine the proposed law.

This is the fifth time that the chairman of the parliamentary watchdog Hasanul Huq Inu sought time in parliament as the committee couldn't scrutinise the bill for placing it before the House within the stipulated time.

The House today unanimously approved the committee chief's proposal for an extension of the time.

Sources at the parliament secretariat said the fate of the proposed law seemed uncertain as there is little possibility for passage of the Bill in the ongoing session of the current 11th parliament.

The ongoing session which is also the last session of parliament will continue till November 2, according to the Business Advisory Committee of parliament.

If the bill is not passed in this session, then there will be no effectiveness of this bill.

In that case, a new bill on this matter will have to be placed afresh in the next 12th parliament.

Various journalists organisations and owners associations, Transparency International Bangladesh have seriously opposed various sections of the proposed law.

The wages and benefits of journalists, employees and press workers, and artists of broadcast, online, and print media outlets would be fixed under the proposed law.

As per the bill, journalists will be regarded as media professionals, not as workers.

The government will be able to cancel the licences or registration of the media. The owners of media outlets will also face punishment for violation of the law.