UNESCO supports creation of the first ever citizens' media forum in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh citizens are largely unexposed to the notion that they have a stake in the media. Newspaper readers or TV viewers are happy to play the passive consumers even as their counterparts in neighbouring India and Pakistan have started raising their voices on media issues. A strong relationship between the media and citizens based on mutual trust is crucial for developing and sustaining free and pluralistic media organisations and indeed for healthy democratic societies. But it's a process that has to be nurtured and built over time. There has been no serious attempt in this regard in Bangladesh, until recently.

A media NGO called Centre for Development Communication (CDC) initiated the process by establishing Media Nagarik Forum (MNF), the first ever citizens' media forum in Bangladesh, on July 25th 2009. UNESCO Dhaka is providing support to this effort. The Forum was launched through a press conference at the Reporters' Unity conference hall in Dhaka. An 11-member executive committee comprising academician, cultural activist, media researcher, communication expert, consumers' right activist, was announced with renowned media personality Muhammad Jahangir as the Convener of the Forum. The Forum's initial activities would include organising citizens under the banner of MNF and promote citizens' engagement with the media through dialogue between the media and citizens' on various media issues.

The media scene in Bangladesh, particularly the broadcast one, is characterised more by the number of channels than by the diversity of content. Cross media conglomeration has created an environment where creativity and diversity give way to standardization and a homozenised cultural environment. No matter which Bangladeshi TV channel one watches it is invariably the same programming format made of a mix of low-quality drama serials, inane talk shows, and partisan inaccurate news presentations.

Hence is the significance of the citizens' being critically aware of the media not only in terms of programming content, but also with regard to various determinants of media policy, such as ownership, institutional structure, funding and regulation. Awareness need to be followed by regular dialogue with media organisations to ensure that a public interest perspective be applied to media issues, explained the Forum members.

Other activities of the Forum would include publishing newsletters and conducting researches and survey on media issues to strengthen and sustain citizens' involvement in the media.

 

 

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