JS body gets 90 more days to examine media bill

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcast Ministry yesterday got another 90 days to examine the much-debated-about Mass Media Employees (Services Conditions) Bill 2022.

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

The House yesterday unanimously approved the proposal.

On March 28 last year, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud placed the bill and it was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for scrutiny.

The committee earlier in June and August last year sought 60 days and in January 90 days for scrutiny.

According to the source, the Jatiya Sangsad committee did not sit for a single meeting till now.

Various journalist organisations and owner associations, Transparency International Bangladesh have opposed various sections of the proposed law.

The Editors' Council (Sampadak Parishad) has said the space for independent media will shrink further if the proposed bill is passed in parliament.

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