The country’s mass media, both print and electronic, is constantly facing pressures from different corners, though it is moving forward amidst such constraints, said discussants at a dialogue yesterday. They also observed that the security of the journalists in the country—both their lives and financial matters—was a matter of great concern, given the media-unfriendly laws and the unsavoury interference by the government and the owners of media organisations. They added that the democratic process and good governance would be impeded if the mass media fails to work independently. These observations came at a dialogue on ‘SDG 16 and Good Governance: Government, Mass Media and Citizens’, organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at its office in the capital.
Former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, BRAC University’s Prof. Afsan Chowdhury and media personality Mohammad Jahangir spoke on the occasion. TIB’s director (outreach and communication) Rezwan-ul-Alam presented a keynote paper before the dialogue.
The discussants also said self-censorship by the media is growing, and journalists are engaging in this policy so as to sustain themselves, which was not a good sign.
The speakers pointed out that the leaders of the journalists have been divided into two big camps under two different political banners, and these leaders were not defending the interests of the journalists properly. Rather, they are busy deriving different benefits from this process.
They also felt the need for a true professional body of journalists that would work only in the interests of the journalists and would not acquire any political colour.
They also emphasised the need for comprehensive measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 for national development.
ATM Shamsul Huda said, “The country’s institutional bodies are not functioning properly since Independence. They are divided into political groups. Such a division cannot bring about any professional development.”
He also said the institutional bodies are captured soon after a political party comes to power, which hinders democratic practices. He said though the SDG goals cannot be fully achieved, yet many aims can be attained if there are checks and balances for ensuring transparency and accountability.
“The government has to provide a congenial environment so that mass media can work independently. The freedom of the mass media is important for the progression of democracy,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said. “The pressure on mass media is growing, pushing the media towards self-censorship. This is not acceptable in the democratic process,” he added.
Mohammad Jahangir said, “We are still shouting for the mass media’s independence. The government said it has given freedom to the mass media by giving licences to a large number of TV channels, papers and online media.”
“Journalists today have been divided under the political banners. This division is widening day by day and the journalists’ leaders are taking opportunity of this,” he said.
“Once upon a time, many people did not know who the owner of the newspaper was, but today the owners are playing a key role in fostering the division among journalists,” he added. He also observed that fearless journalism was not possible in the country as there are fears of forced disappearances.
“During Pakistani dictator Ayub Khan’s rule, the highest form of punishment for journalists was jail. But now, forced disappearances have become a nightmare. If the law cannot prevent the journalists, then different methods are applied. Hence, fearless journalism is now questionable,” he added. Afsan Chowdhury observed, “It’s very difficult for the mass media to work independently when you avail of facilities from the government.”
Rezwan-ul-Alam, in his keynote paper, said, “If the government refuses to heed public opinion and limits the freedom of speech, there will be a crisis between the government and the people.” He pointed out that a congenial legal environment is necessary for the freedom of the mass media. He said absolute consensus and effective initiatives among the government, mass media and people are necessary if the SDG goals are to be achieved.