Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
While people of Bangladesh are enjoying every national events sitting on their sofa and can pass comment on it and can take action over any injustice then the whole praise must go the media. This scenario also indicates the existence of good governance. The terms governance and good governance are not new concepts. In fact the idea of good governance has been practicing since the Aristotle period. But they have recently come to occupy an important place in development literature, and in the concerns and considerations of major international donors. Now the concept of good governance has become a donor driven idea. Indeed, more and more importance is attached to the notion of good governance. Good governance has some characteristics and these characteristics are adopting new factors with the changing world. At present context mass media can play an important role in ensuring good governance, especially, in developing countries where alternative sources of information are scarce. In this assignment I will first explain the ideal functions of mass media in ensuring good governance, then Ill try to analyze the actual role that mass media is playing to ensure good governance in Bangladesh. I will also try to find out the challenges for mass media in Bangladesh in this regard. Finally, I will try to find measures that may make mass media more effective in Bangladesh.
2. CONCEPTUAL ASPECTS
The concept of "governance" simply means the process through which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).1 According to World Bank booklet reports in 1992, governance is the "manner in which power is exercised in the management of a countrys economic and social resources for development".2 Since 1978, the super state, World Bank has proposed a political term called good governance. In general sense good governance means an ideal governing system of a country. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Good governance is- ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency accountability of the public sector, and tackling corruption.3 Good governance is a form of governance that represents eight
1 2
http://www.unescap.org/huset/gg/governance.htm Khan, M.M., "Urban local Governance in Bangladesh: An overview", Journal of Administration and Diplomacy, Vol.4, No.1 Jan-Jun, p.2, 1996. 3 Merilee S. Grindle, Good Enough Governance Revisited A Report for DFID with reference to the Governance Target Strategy Paper-2001, Harvard University, February 2005.
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specific characteristics, and can be seen as an ideal of governance. According to V. K. Chopra, Good governance embodies processes that are participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and [which follow] the rule of law.4
participatory
consencus oriented
responsiven ess
Good Governance
transparent accountabl e
Chopra, V.K., "The mirage of good governance", Towards good governance, eds; chopra, S.K., Konark publishers Pvt. ltd. Delhi-110092, p.32, 1997.
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Mass media is especially crucial for ensuring good governance at present context. Generally, "media" refers to various means of communication.5 Nowadays, mass media has become increasingly popular. It consists of radio, television, magazines, newspapers, and of course, the Internet.6 In this term paper I will focus on the role of print media (newspapers) and electronic media (TV and Radio channels) of Bangladesh.
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4. METHODOLOGY
For this term paper I have followed two methods: Literature reviews and Qualitative interviews. I have reviewed journals, books and articles that are written and discussed about good governance, and about the role of mass media in promoting good governance. I have also gone through the reports of UNESCO and CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) which have already worked a lot for this type of topics. Besides I have also browsed websites and interviewed Dr. A J M Shafiul Islam7 and Mahmudul Haque Moni8.
Dr. A J M Shafiul Islam is an associate professor of Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism at University of Dhaka. 8 Mahmudul Haque Moni was a lecturer of Journalism at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and he is also an Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh.
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(i)
Where channels of mass communications are free and independent of established interests and in addition
(ii)
Where there is widespread of diffusion and flexibility of public access to these media. The fourth estate has traditionally been regarded as one of the classic checks and balances in the division of powers.
Engagement, Information Poverty and the Internet Worldwide. NY: Cambridge University Press.
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Mohammed Iliyas,The Power of Media to Ensure Good Governance, September 24, 2010, Thinking Youth Blog.
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V. K. Parigi, Dr. P. Geeta, Rameesh Kailasam, Ushering in Transparency for Good Governance, Centre for Good
Democratic Governance and the Role of Media in promoting Equitable Development: Bangladesh Perspective, by
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is more prepared to hold their elected representatives accountable. Information is vital for the public to be aware of the governments actions and make the decisions accordingly. Without this information, people cannot demand change or accountability from their government and social institutions. Thus, the mass media acts as a catalyst for creating positive governance outcomes as people, and in turn governments, are motivated to enact changes in the institutional structure that enhance democracy. In addition, an effective mass media also provides policy makers and governments with information which are vital to addressing a nations policy and development needs.13
Irum Shehreen Ali, Governance and the Media, The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2006, Centre for Governance Studies, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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government and oppositions political performance and internal governance, electoral process issues and public corruption. The electronic media provides a discursive space for debate and expression of views to the polity for political actors that are not available within mainstream political institutions.14
Ibid. http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
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Promotion of anti-corruption initiatives.16 Drawing attention to institutional failings corruption, fraud, waste, inefficiency, cronyism, nepotism, abuse of power.
Making people more aware of political issues and options and helping to stimulate debate.
Protect secrecy of the internal information of government. Enabling people to have access to government programs, schemes and benefits. Making people more aware of their rights and entitlements. Popular participation in decision making and implementation. Efficient delivery system of services and goods. Promote an equalitarian social and economic order. Highlight citizen grievances.17
Mass media can make full use of their potential to contribute to the consolidation of good governance if their rights are protected. Moreover they need to have the requisite skills for the kind of textured and in-depth reporting that new democracies require. Because mass media are powerful, there should also be mechanisms to ensure that they are held accountable to the public and that ethical and professional standards are upheld.
16
Hussain Saddat, Good Governance- A case for training intervention, proshikkyan, Journal of Bangladesh society for training and development (BSTD), vol. 2, No.1, p.2, Jan-Jun, 1995. 17 The Right to Information Act, 2005 - A Guide for Media published by Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad - 500033, Andhra Pradesh
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7.4 CORRUPTION
Corruption has been, since the last decade a severe problem in Bangladesh. Mass media sector is not out of it. The capitalist owners and stake holders of this sector are political leaders, business magnates including export-import companies. Moreover, one person holds the ownership of more than one TV channel or newspaper. So, this concentrated ownership makes the media sector involved in corruption as the owners have been and are alleged of corruption. Sometimes
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Ibid. The State of Governance in Bangladesh: 2006, Civil Society and the Media: Who will Watch the Watchdogs?, Centre for Governance Studies, BRAC University.
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journalists also publish false news and blackmail many people and as they have full control over their published news, they can change it anyway and make a false representation for any of their concerned interest and no matter govt. sue case next, but the false news is disseminated to the public already.
, , Ibid. 23 http://www.cpj.org/asia/bangladesh/
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aborigines), lack of social environment etc are main reasons behind this divide. Moreover the gap between rich and poor is increasing day by day. So, information become segregated and people all over the country lack pertinent information. In fact, many are totally unconscious about what they actually want from mass media.
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FIRSTLY, mass media should overcome the barrier of getting information. They should publish or
broadcast the issues on which they are incapable of getting information due to legal barriers, but they consider those issues as important for the people to know. Thus, they can create public pressure on the government so that government cannot hide any important matter in the name of official secrecy or state security.24
THIRDLY, it is very difficult to wipe out corruption, but mass media themselves can do this to a
large extent. One media house can bring the news of corruption of other houses. Experts say that although this may be called yellow journalism and may seem as individual rivalry, but there may be a little truth. By bringing the news into public account a space for debate will be risen and public will demand the truth.
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government should make such kind of policy and legal actions should be taken against those who do not follow the policy.25
FIFTHLY, government should ensure safety of the journalists by enacting strict laws and
implementing them effectively. Moreover, journalists themselves can take nonviolent action. They can abstain from publishing any news of the parties by which they have been tortured. 26 Journalists should also get justice against any violence to their rights.
SIXTHLY, people may have access to mass media by cooperative activity. Those who cannot
afford a television set alone can buy it joining with others and thus have the access to TV channels. Again, newspapers should be available at public places, such as bus stops, railway stations, and school, college and university campuses and of course in libraries.
SEVENTHLY, journalists should move to more investigative and embedded journalism. They
should not only report about policies made but also investigate about the implementation or non implementation of the policies. In many cases too much subjectivity cannot bring any good result. So, mass media should be objective to ensure good governance.
FINALLY, media houses should survey about the public choice and their reaction about media
contents. They should give participatory scope to the people and speak for the most deprived and disadvantaged. The process should be bottom to top rather than top to bottom.
Moreover, media should serve the function that media is meant to do for the public. At the same time media should also help the government by providing the real scenario of the publics and places so that government can execute its responsibility to the public.
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9. CONCLUSION
Mass media is essential for democracy and good governance. The role of mass media plays in Bangladesh is not sufficient for the purpose like ensuring good governance. At present it is being said that journalists of different mass media houses are being provoked to abuse, misuse but bring the breaking news to increase their audience and fame. But, it doesnt mean that mass media always provide fake news. In fact, mass media have, in spite of their faults and lacking, working as peoples parliament and widened the scope of public debate and discussion. But, this sector needs a massive restructuring and reorganizing in order to ensure good governance in countries like Bangladesh.
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