Government Preparing New Policy Framework for Online News Portals

Dhaka, June 7: The government is formulating a new policy to streamline the registration and operational management of online news portals, according to State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury.

The announcement came during the first budget session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday while responding to a starred question raised by MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul from Jamalpur-3 constituency.

The State Minister said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working on a comprehensive policy framework aimed at ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and discipline in the rapidly expanding online media sector.

“The ministry is preparing a new policy to make the registration and management of online news portals more organized and effective,” he told Parliament.

He also revealed that the government is reviewing the status of district-based newspapers with weak publication records that are currently listed under the Department of Films and Publications (DFP).

“We are examining whether those newspapers were enlisted through proper procedures and in compliance with existing regulations. Appropriate action will be taken if any irregularities are identified,” Yasser Khan Chowdhury said.

Providing an overview of the country's print media landscape, the State Minister informed Parliament that 585 daily newspapers, 363 weekly publications, and 296 monthly magazines are currently published from Dhaka.

Among them, 288 daily newspapers, 56 weeklies, and 23 monthly publications are officially enlisted under the government’s media database.

He added that the government is undertaking a series of reform initiatives aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability, and modernization within Bangladesh’s media sector.