Media Credibility Plummets Amid Owner Interference: Analyst

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Media credibility in Bangladesh has reached an unprecedented low, primarily due to interference from media owners rather than government pressure, according to Kamal Ahmed, Consulting Editor of The Daily Star. Ahmed made the remarks on Sunday morning during a discussion in Dhaka held to mark World Press Freedom Day.

“We do not currently feel any pressure from the government side,” Ahmed stated, “but we do observe it from the owners.” The event, held in Dhanmondi, was jointly organized by UNESCO and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Ahmed elaborated that the diminished credibility stems from the media’s inability to operate with sufficient independence. He identified two main forces undermining this freedom: the control and intimidation exerted during past autocratic regimes, and economic factors driven by owner influence and corporate interests.

He criticized some media owners for exerting control that prevents editors from making independent decisions. As an example, Ahmed cited instances where, during parliamentary question sessions, when the Prime Minister discloses lists of money launderers or loan defaulters, certain media outlets either fail to publish the full list verbatim or omit the names of their own owners. Such practices, he argued, severely erode public trust and credibility.

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Ahmed also pointed to the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media as a significant contributor to the erosion of media credibility. He noted that much of this content is disseminated to politically or group-interest discredit specific individuals or to question the authenticity of information. When general readers encounter conflicting narratives between social media and traditional news outlets on the same event, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to discern the truth, a crisis he fears will only deepen.

To navigate this crisis, Ahmed emphasized the necessity of a “sustainable economic model” for media organizations. He warned that financial dependence on the government or other interest groups inevitably compromises media independence. Therefore, he urged finding pathways to financial autonomy. Ahmed also called upon editors who compromise their professional integrity to maintain their positions to act responsibly and stand for the profession, warning that failure to do so portends a bleak future for journalism.

The discussion also featured an opening address by Suzanne Vize, UNESCO’s Bangladesh Representative. Other notable participants included Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Information and Broadcasting; Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna TV; Riaz Ahmed, Editor of Dhaka Tribune; and journalist Shahnaz Munni. The session was moderated by Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB.