The rapid proliferation of untrained "mobile journalists" armed only with smartphones and internet data is eroding the credibility of journalism in Bangladesh. Journalism is a profound responsibility requiring dedication, wisdom, and education—not merely a mechanical act of recording. Today, the unchecked rise of amateur reporting has led to extortion, yellow journalism, and a severe loss of public trust.
To protect dedicated professionals and curb fake news, introducing a formal journalist registration process is an urgent necessity. Proper registration would ensure accountability, protect journalists from arbitrary dismissals, and mandate fair wages.
However, this much-needed regulation carries a grave risk. If controlled by the government or political bureaucrats, registration could easily become a weapon to suppress investigative reporting, silence dissent, and domesticate the media. We must fiercely resist any authoritarian "license raj."
The solution lies in intelligent coordination, not state censorship. First, we must establish a completely independent "National Media Commission" to oversee registration, led by media experts, academics, and legal professionals—not politicians. Second, registration must require minimum educational and professional experience.
Finally, while "citizen journalists" play a vital role in exposing grassroots injustices when mainstream media cannot, they should not be conflated with institutional journalists. They require a distinct platform—perhaps recognized as "citizen informants"—guided by a separate cyber code of conduct to prevent the spread of rumors.
Regulation must ensure ethical discipline and public value without compromising the fundamental right to press freedom.
