Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the current democratic government no longer intimidates the media as in past authoritarian eras but aims to act as a genuine partner in addressing journalists’ professional issues. He made the remarks on June 16, 2026, at a discussion marking 'Newspaper Black Day' at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Swapan recalled the 1975 constitutional amendment that established one-party rule and suppressed press freedom, describing it as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history. He urged recognition of new challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital media, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to counter misinformation and misuse of technology. He also highlighted the global trend of citizen journalism and mentioned that countries like Australia, the UK, and the EU have enacted new laws to regulate it.

The minister announced that the government plans to form a powerful quasi-judicial Media Commission soon and called for a high-level policy forum to guide the Information Ministry in ensuring media freedom and accountability.