DHAKA : Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP, today said a national action plan is being prepared with a view to forming an independent Media Commission in the country.

He informed European Union (EU) Ambassador Michael Miller about the initiative when the envoy paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the ministry here, said a press release.

During the meeting, they held detailed discussions on various aspects of media freedom and freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

Michael Miller praised the current government's initiative to form an independent Media Commission and expressed the European Union's interest in providing all necessary support in this regard. He said the EU has long experience in ensuring media freedom, which Bangladesh could utilise.

Responding to the envoy's remarks, the Minister said, "The current government is committed to ensuring media freedom. However, alongside freedom, protecting people from misinformation and disinformation is also one of the government's key responsibilities."

He said the government is working to establish an independent Media Commission keeping these two objectives in mind.

The minister said a draft committee would be formed based on the opinions of all stakeholders concerned with the media sector. 

The committee would prepare a National Action Plan and submit it to the government. Subsequently, the independent Media Commission would be formed on the basis of that National Action Plan, he added.