Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Minister Swapan's oath date confirmed as February 17, 2026 by BSS (news/361922); one report says February 18 but February 17 is consistent with PM Tarique Rahman's swearing-in date. Swapan was previously MP for Barishal-1 in the 6th parliament (1996) and 8th parliament (2001); his appointment as full minister is the first full minister from Barishal in over 37 years per BSS/others/362069. Yaser Khan Chowdhury's Wikipedia birth date is 18 February 1982; constituency Mymensingh-9 confirmed by parliament.gov.bd and BSS. BJWT chairman nomination on February 23 is the date of the 39th board meeting per BSS news/363343 and Dhaka Tribune. BTV autonomy roadmap committee was established under the interim government's Media Reform Commission recommendations (2025); the current BNP government inherited and is continuing this process. Annual budget figure not verifiable from public sources; the Finance Division ministry-level budget document exists at mof.portal.gov.bd but was not accessible in summary form. Staff count not published in any accessible primary source. Bangladesh ranks 152nd in RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025. Activity evidence hold: removed 3 exact generated refresh event(s) on read. Generated scores, positions, activity actions and verification stamps are unavailable. Retained events and unmatched action text require source review; original raw records are unchanged.