(BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam today said the government will increase facilities for newspapers and private television channels, urging the media owners to enhance benefits for journalists accordingly.

He was speaking at the `Meet the Reporters` programme organized by Dhaka Reporters` Unity (DRU) at its Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium in the capital.

Emphasizing the need for increasing journalists’ salaries, the adviser said the government plans to fix a minimum salary for entry-level journalists.

“Media outlets that will fail to provide the minimum wage will not be eligible for any government benefits,” he added.

Mahfuj Alam said the government will digitize the country’s private television broadcast system, which will help determine the number of viewers of the channels.

“Channels with better performance will get more advertisements and higher revenue,” he noted.

Regarding the approval of new television channels, he said the government has given licenses in line with existing policies to promote healthy competition in the media industry.

Highlighting the progress in implementing the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, the adviser said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken initiatives to implement 13 out of 23 recommendations on priority basis after review.

New policies and ordinances should be made for implementing the recommendations while some issues depend on the decisions of the council of advisers, he added.

Mahfuj Alam informed that the draft of the Journalists’ Rights Protection Ordinance has already been sent for vetting and will soon be placed before the council of the advisers.

The government is also mulling enactment of Mass Media Employees Act and a new guideline for private television channels.

He said the scope of online media and OTT platforms is vast and efforts are underway with the ministry and ICT Division to bring all online media under a structured framework.

“Online platforms that earn revenue from content must come under registration,” he added.

Referring to the current circulation of newspapers, the adviser said there are many inconsistencies in circulation figures.

The Department of Films and Publications (DFP) has monitored the circulation of most newspapers over the past three months and found that many newspapers print only 500 to 1,000 copies a day, but they show their circulation much higher.

As per the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations, the government plans to rationalize circulation numbers and double advertisement rates, he said, urging newspaper-owners to show accurate figures.

Responding to a question, the adviser said necessary measures will be taken in coordination with the Election Commission to ensure journalists’ safety during the upcoming national elections.

On forming a permanent Media Commission, he said such a body requires for redefining the jurisdiction of various departments. But, it difficult to establish a permanent commission in a short span of time.

On combating misinformation, the adviser said every media outlet should have its own fact-checking team.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government wants to uphold ethics in journalism profession and emphasized the need to raise journalists’ salaries.

He also criticized the increased number of websites in present time that violate copyright laws by publishing news from other outlets, stressing the importance of respecting copyright rules in publishing news.

The programme was presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and conducted by its General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel.

Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and journalists from print and electronic media were also present.