Community-based newspaper, radio and television should be started as 'alternative media' so the peripheral people of the country can access information.

Experts recommended this at a discussion on the 'World Press Freedom Day-2007' organised by the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University at the DU lecture theatre's RC Mojumder auditorium Saturday, reports UNB.

State of the media in Bangladesh came under comprehensive scrutiny in the discussion.

Robayet Ferdous of the DU Mass Communication and Journalism Department presented a keynote paper titled 'The Ownership of Mass Media and Mass People's Information Right" at the function.

Former information adviser and Daily Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam took part in the meeting as the chief guest with the chairman of the department Sheikh Abdus Salam in the chair.

Dean of Social Science faculty Harun-ur-Rashid, former chairmen of the department Golam Rahman and Sakhawat Ali Khan, and Kazi Abdul Mannan and Abul Monsur from Rajshahi University spoke on the topic.

Alam said the media industry would have to be related with other institutions of society.
"They (media) are not any isolated institution", he said.

Terming community mass media a 'very good' idea, he also said these media would speak for the locals.
"Reading habit should be established among the community people", he added.

Rashid said right of all citizens to information could be ensured through allowing all democratic institutions to function in the country.

"There is no alternative to democratic government in the country", he said.

Rahman focused on a paradox the press in Bangladesh is faced with-evidently for a lack of its growth as a well-spun industry. Media ownership provides a strong bridge for occupying power, he noted.

"There are many examples of media owners having applied for nomination", the speaker said and put a pertinent question: "Has there been any example of a good editor who became a good media owner?"
 

© The Bangladesh Journal