Government to launch 10th wage board for journalists soon, says Minister Swapon

Swapon says the Press Council plans to introduce an online journalist database and set minimum education requirements

The government will initiate the process of forming the 10th wage board for journalists shortly, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has told parliament.

Responding to a query from opposition lawmaker Shaikh Monzurul Haque Rahad, the minister noted that while the 9th wage board award was gazetted in September 2019, its full implementation hit a snag due to disputes between journalists and newspaper owners regarding income tax payments.

Currently, six writ petitions and civil petitions related to the 9th wage board are pending in court, the minister added.

The minister detailed several initiatives aimed at ensuring a safe professional environment and dignity for journalists.

The Press Council is working on the plan to create an online journalist database and set minimum education requirements, the minister told the House.

In response to another question, Swapon told parliament that there are currently four state-owned television channels in Bangladesh.

While 55 private TV channels have received approval, 37 are currently in full broadcast.

He noted that no new applications for private channels are currently awaiting approval.