In the recent days, newspapers have once again begun publishing reports, editorials and opinions suggesting that autonomy will be granted soon to state-run Betar and BTV. A high-level committee has even been formed, comprising an advisor as its head, a few more advisors, and representatives from the civil society experienced in broadcasting. Many are hopeful that this long-anticipated step will be materialised finally, following the recommendations of the media reform commission.
Having worked in the media for over three decades and being involved in several committees concerning autonomy, I can confidently say that no new law or amendment is needed to ensure the independence of radio, television or newspapers. In fact, under the current regulatory framework, the sincere goodwill of the government alone is sufficient to ensure editorial freedom for state media.
In 1997, after Awami League came to power in 1996, a commission was formed under the leadership of Mohammad Asafuddoula to look into granting autonomy to radio and television. Among the officials invited to share their opinions with the commission, I was the youngest representative from Bangladesh Television. In response to a question from the commission’s member secretary—nearly four decades ago now—I said the same thing I still believe: if the government has genuine intent, there is no need for new policies or laws.
The next question was, “Do you think Bangladesh Television is currently independent?” I replied, “Certainly not.” As an example, I cited how, just the previous night, the Programme Manager had ordered the removal of noted filmmaker Syed Salahuddin Zaki from a scheduled film-related program—an order that reflected direct interference. I concluded my comments by saying no government truly wants a free media. One Joint Secretary became furious at my remarks and noted down my name, designation and credentials. Had it not been for the kind approval of Mr. Asafuddoula, that Joint Secretary might well have cost me my job that very day.
As is well known, the Asafuddoula Commission presented an excellent report and action plan for autonomy of Betar and BTV. But the government never acted on it.
In December 2008, just days before the ninth national election, I was tasked with recording and editing the election campaign speeches of the two main political leaders—Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Begum Khaleda Zia of the BNP—for Bangladesh Television. Since the return to democratic rule in 1991, it had become customary for BTV and the national radio to broadcast the manifestos of leading political parties during elections. However, special care was always taken when it came to the two main leaders’ speeches.
For Sheikh Hasina’s speech, the then publicity and publication secretary of the Awami League, Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin was present during all stages of the recording and editing. Though the technical editing was relatively straightforward, it was essential to ensure it matched the written manuscript and to present it aesthetically. Lenin Bhai was patient and cooperative throughout the process.
During a break in editing, while we were taking tea in my office, I asked Lenin Bhai—whom I knew from my student days—“Your manifesto says many good things, many promises. But why is there no mention of media freedom, especially the autonomy of radio and television?” Lenin Bhai laughed and replied, “So much has already been said and promised on that subject that no one would believe us anymore. Instead of including it in the manifesto, we want to prove it by doing.”
During the recording and editing of Begum Khaleda Zia’s speech, veteran journalist, writer and media personality Shafiqe Rehman was present throughout. I asked him a similar question. Rehman, highly intelligent and articulate, skillfully dodged the question and instead detailed how the Awami League had interfered with press freedom and the judiciary. When I persisted, asking again about BTV’s autonomy, he said, “We want to initiate such a radical change in the media—including radio and television—that you can’t even imagine it.”
Unfortunately, due to the BNP’s devastating election loss, we never got to witness the “radical media reform” that Shafiqe Rehman mentioned to. Ironically, once the Awami League came to power, it initially allowed privately-owned satellite channels considerable freedom in news broadcasting and expressing dissent—a level of openness few could have imagined. Some channels even irresponsibly aired content that incited violence and communal hatred, often ignoring journalistic ethics and national security concerns.
Today, with over two dozen television channels and widespread FM radio, and with journalists quickly converging on every breaking story equipped with cameras and microphones, it has become nearly impossible to suppress facts or fabricate news. Even so, government interference and behind-the-scenes control remain the biggest barriers to truthful reporting.
Governments tend to forget most of the promises made in their election manifestos—or simply choose not to implement them. Instead, they often resort to every trick to consolidate power. The personal assurance given by Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin on behalf of the Awami League, too, went unfulfilled.
In today’s reality, where nearly everyone has a smartphone and access to social media, many truths reach the public before they are broadcast by BTV or Bangladesh Betar. As a result, hardly anyone is concerned about the autonomy of these state-run outlets anymore. I do not believe the current interim government will be able to take any effective step toward BTV and radio autonomy during its short tenure. Even with sincere intent, it is naive to think that media independence can be achieved overnight through mere declarations of pen and papers.
What is more important than declared autonomy is the genuine goodwill of the government regarding the dissemination of information and the presence of bold, principled editors, journalists, and a few competent professionals within the institutions themselves. Even if BTV is granted autonomy today, it will not be able to operate independently. BTV has long been unaccustomed of working freely, on the other hand, there is a lack of skilled professionals in this organisation. Like a bird that has never learned to fly, even if the cage door is opened, it will crash to the ground the moment it tries to spread its wings.
