When the media are considered dispensable

That the media are no longer the primary and dominant source of news is quite understandable. A survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics on behalf of the Media Reform Commission to know how people gather news and the source they consider credible has only confirmed the shift in people's choice for sources of news. Instead of relying on traditional media outlets such as newspapers, radio and even television, they prefer cell phones---smartphones in particular---for updating themselves about national and international developments. During national crises or disasters, though, they turn to television, most likely for live coverage of the unfolding events.

It is disheartening that 46 per cent of the selected respondents across social segments felt there was no need for reading newspaper. Against this, 53 per cent felt the same way about television with 54 per cent finding no interest in listening to the radio for news. Printed newspapers have long been losing their grounds to electronic media. But never before has a handy digital device been so versatile to keep its owner connected to the world at large.

The modern trend of short-cut is most likely to have a decisive role to play here. Before asking the audiences the question if they read newspaper or consider this a reliable source of information, they should have been asked if they read books at all; and if they do, how much time they spend on books. The percentage of book readers is increasingly declining because more and more people now consider book reading sheer waste of time. Instant gratification without verification has become the norm. As high as 88 per cent of the participants were found to be reliant on cell phones for keeping them abreast with developments all around. 

The level of concentration needed for a post-editorial (article or column in common parlance) or editorial is lacking in the users of social sites. So, the number of discerning newspaper readers is also decreasing. No wonder, facebook and You Tube are the trusted source for 31 per cent and 16.5 per cent respectively. It is exactly at this point, the issue of news literacy has a very important function. Amid multiple sources of news, there is a dearth of verified and authentic reporting on issues, particularly the sensitive ones. Few readers can see through deficient, motivated and distorted news published without in-depth insight and balanced treatment based on versions of stakeholders belonging to opposing camps.

Flawed news consumption thus proves highly dangerous because instead of helping the readers to make informed decision, it can incite violence or social upheaval making a mountain out of a molehill. Newspapers or the media in general are passing a most critical time not only in Bangladesh but also across the globe. When the majority of people think newspapers and radio are dispensable, it is not a question of subscription and revenue but also of a national habit and culture. A rich vein of interaction and communication is behind the development of such a tradition and culture.

Well, radio may have lost its appeal because the receiving sets are almost out of market together with the inconvenience of moving knobs to chosen stations. Then the cell phone can be used as an alternative to such sets. Television creates instant news hardly ever furnishing in-depth analysis. This is why TV channels arrange for talk shows. So, the newspapers have the opportunity to carry the banner of projecting views and analysis in a dispassionate manner, provided that the media are free to do so. In countries where journalists have to self-censor themselves under hostile regimes, maintaining objectivity is always a challenge. Bangladesh has never been an exception to this rule, not even now.

The year 2024 was the worst year for journalists. In Bangladesh it was like walking a tightrope for them. Several newspapers and other media outlets faltered because their inhibition got the better of acceptance of the unprecedented change that was about to sweep away everything on its way like the great deluge. Not only news literacy but also a high level of cultural attainment is a sine qua non for preserving democratic values, human rights and freedom of the Press. Both society and the media grow together forging a symbiotic relationship. But today's world is not an ideal place for fostering such relations.

Crafty and intriguing use of digital devices have put into the most important seats of power political minnows or jokers who have agenda inimical to the prosperity of the human civilisation. The highest global organisation, United Nations (UN) has been turned irrelevant to the distress of humanity across swathes of the planet. Genocide and destruction of villages, towns and human settlements go on almost unchallenged, undermining in the process the rule of law and democratic principles everywhere. The big powers use smaller and poor countries as their stooges or playthings.

Thus economic independence of such nations is lost in favour of their status as vassal states where the big players install their chosen people in power. Thus dictators are created and after a certain period, public sentiment grows. The media can only play the role of a commentator to stay afloat hardly ever creating public opinion in favour of peace and national stability. In murky politics, the growth of powerful media becomes ever more challenging.

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