Changing Face of Media in Bangladesh

Z.A.M. Khairuzzaman :

As the people of Bangladesh (former East Pakistan) enjoyed no fundamental rights during Pakistan period, there was no question of guarantee of freedom of expression.

However, with the passage of time, there has been paradigm shift in the functioning of the media.

The national press of Bangladesh was the backbone of the freedom struggle for independence from Pakistani misrule. Its historical importance and prestige it enjoyed in society are linked to the awareness and creation of public opinion.

The ultra-modern press marked its beginning only after the independence of Bangladesh. Today, press has come to occupy an undisputed position as the fourth and the strongest pillar of modern Bangladesh.

Print media, and for that matter media as a whole, owes its origin and growth not to the state, but to enterprising individuals who had in them the courage to lead the nation.

The trials and tribulation they had to encounter at the hands of the military junta of Pakistan could not prevent the press from growing and becoming an instrument for fight against subjugation and to bring a wide range of social and economic reforms.

The following years unfolded a glorious chapter of Bangladeshi newspapers which reveals the newspapers consistently reporting on the challenges ahead of the nation.

The newspapers focused on news and articles on diverse social and political concerns and problems and the country saw the birth of journalism with a difference, dedicated journalism that stood for social reforms and public welfare, and creating opinion on different issues like education, modern technology, child work, child marriage, women’s forward march, climate change et cetera.

Gradually, press became the most powerful weapon for the independence movement.

The strong belief of our freedom fighters that ‘pen is mightier than sword’ and the power of their pen can challenge the political establishment directed Bangladeshi journalism with a sense of purpose that never weakened and holds ground till date.

The latest example is the July ’24 mass upsurge led by young students despite gagging of press by the fascist ruler. So, media in Bangladesh has a strong popular support that it enjoys today.

National political struggle and advocacy of social reforms and emancipation in the years before independence contributed to the creation of the core strength of the press in free Bangladesh.

This included independent functioning, resistance to state oppression and censorship, firm commitment to free speech and expression and its role as the leader and path finder of the society and protector of fundamental rights.

The press has not only mirrored the march of this journey, but gave valuable insights and suggestions at every step.

The media scenario of Bangladesh has undergone vast change. Globalisation, the new economic order of the world, has opened the floodgates to a cutthroat competition virtually in every sphere of our activities.

Media and communication industries have immensely contributed in facilitating overall globalisation.

The impact of globalisation is not merely an economic phenomenon, dictated by the market dominated corporate capitalism, but also very powerful cultural content, shaped by the inseparable intertwining of advertising, television and internet.

The technological breakthrough in printing has brought in unforeseen structural change in the set up of print media.

It has not only helped in better designing and lay out and more attractive presentation with improved colour scheme in printing of the papers, but also made it feasible and economically viable to print more multi-edition copies faster and at lesser cost with better get-up and make-up.

Ultimately, the press was enabled to cater to more readers stationed at different locations.

The developing telecommunication services and transport facilities have also facilitated news reporting even from remote places, and quick transmission and dissemination of news resulted in prompt and wider circulation of the newspapers with better news contents.

The developments in technology coupled with the growth in the newspaper readers on account of higher literacy level and higher per capita income have led to an enviable growth in the number of newspapers and their circulation.

Development of the press has made significant contribution in the country’s developmental programmes. Further, small newspapers published from small towns also contribute towards national development.

The expansion of newspapers has led to the growth of press-related specific jobs and has boosted the profession of journalism. More and more bright, talented and educated young men and women are now opting for journalism as their career.

The Media and Journalism Departments in national universities are now attracting a large number of students.

The prospect of eventually joining the electronic media is an added attraction. The advertisement revenue has become the main revenue base of the press. Even though the number of pages has increased, the price has decreased.

Investigative journalism has opened a new chapter in the history of the press. It has made the press to acquire more powerful position and helped enhance the image of the press as an active watchdog of society.

Investigative journalism has helped newspersons to assert their place more prominently.
The press in today’s media scenario has become instrumental in setting the political, economic, social and cultural agenda of the country.

Bangladesh has also witnessed an explosion in electronic media and online news services. Media has acquired such great control on the mind of the masses that it now controls and shapes the liking, disliking and interest in different segments of news items to a considerable extent.

Bangladeshi press is going through transformation because of changes occurring in today’s polity of the country on account of rapid socio-economic strides.

Liberalisation, globalisation, and competition from electronic media are impelling the print media to adapt new technologies, with more professional outlook and sensitivity to the market forces.

The rapid challenges being faced today and to be faced in near future need dynamism and quick adaptation for the growth and effective survival of print media.

The changes in technology and marketplace are shaping the growth and development of print media.

In Bangladesh, almost all newspapers are accessible through the Internet and provide up-to-date news and information not only relating to Bangladesh, but other parts of the globe too.

Today’s readers are not satisfied with traditional news contents, but something more giving insight to what is happening all around the globe.

In the early history of print media in our country, the newspapers were largely owned by middle class or upper middle class intellectuals.

The publication was made in the spirit of ushering in social reforms and gaining independence of the country.

The circulation of the newspapers was also quite moderate in those days. Gradually, the print media in Bangladesh has undergone corporatisation.

Today’s media, particularly major national level newspapers, are mostly owned by the owners of prominent corporate houses.

Newspapers enjoy freedom of speech and expression as the watchdog of the nation and as a representative voice of the people with a solemn duty to inform the people and the policy makers correctly and dispassionately.

The press in Bangladesh has always been at the forefront of national life.

Even though there has been a considerable erosion of ethics over the decades after the country’s independence, the basic values adhered to by Bangladeshi media over the ages, still continue to inspire.

The media has always risen to the occasion whenever there is a crisis.