14. Ataur Rahman Media Banfladesh[1]

Fr ee Media : Peace Democr acy & Human Rights Country Presentation

Bangladesh Ataur Rahman Programme Coordinator, BMSF

While the country was born  Of the fourteen genocides committed in the last century, the mass killing that took place in Bangladesh on March 25, 1971, designed by the Pakistani occupation forces was the most heinous.  The people of Bangladesh revolted against the occupation forces to protect themselves from the inhuman torture and oppression inflicted on them by the Pakistani troop’s .  After a nine month long freedom fighting the country achieved its independence in the cost of 3 million lives.

Presenting Bangladesh  Basic facts Area (Sq. Km) Population Growth Rate Density/Sq. Km Life Expectancy Birth Rate Death Rate Literacy Rate Ethnic groups Religions Buddhist  Languages  Mass media          

 Work force

: 147570 : 140.6 million : 1.41% : 953 : 64.5 yrs. : 20.6 (per 1000) : 5.6 (per 1000) : 52.5 : Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims. : Muslim 88.3%; Hindu 10.5%; Christian 0.3%, 0.6%, others 0.3%. : Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English. : Journalists: 8,500, Newspapers 2175, Agencies - 5 Television -11, Radio – 4 : 49.5 million

About BMSF  Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum BMSF (Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum), was formed in January 10, 1991 with the objective to mobilize the journalists, those working in the national and local print as well as electronic media to ensure an effective role play in the process of human rights protection and the national development activities.

About BMSF  An environment, free of Human Rights Violation against Men, Women and Children, that ensures Drugs and HIV/AIDS free society and strengthens the democratic institutions and good governance in Bangladesh is the vision of BMSF.

Freedom of expression  Freedom of expression is therefore an internationally recognized right, which is declared as essential in Article 19 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The freedom of Expression has a new dimension today as the wave of democracy is sweeping the world.

Freedom of expression  Press freedom cannot, generally speaking, be achieved in isolation.  It requires the combined and collaborative efforts of multiple actors:     

Journalists and their organizations, media owners, political power-holders, community leaders and ordinary people.

Freedom of expression  Cross-border alliances and exchanges of ideas are equally significant in shaping broader ideas about the meaning of press freedom and its value in promoting and reflecting democratic processes that benefit all people. Even where there is no prior restraint on the:  Exercise of the right to free speech,  a hostile environment often compels the media to engage in selfcensorship rather than risk retribution.  Access to information also ensures individual rights and personal dignity.

Role of Media in democracy  the role of the media in democracy can only be performed in a free society without any overt and covert influences, both external and internal.  This role is to disseminate needed information to the people, so that they may be wellinformed and equipped to discharge their obligations in a democratic society.

Role of Media in democracy  Monopoly of the media, either by the government or private individuals or institutions, is considered a threat to democracy.  The people, being the rulers in democracy, should be the masters of information of both private and public activities.  For free media to operate, a secured atmosphere for its free play is needed which is not guaranteed alone by the laws of the country.

To concentrate on South Asia  Human rights problems in each country have usually been treated as an internal matter.  However, it takes only a quick survey of the South Asian region to see that there are many human rights issues that would benefit from mutual engagement and agreement.

To concentrate on South Asia  Apart from other serious human rights problems, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka are also dealing with situations related to armed conflicts and insurgencies.  Nepal, with its numerous human rights problems, has only just emerged from a violent conflict that claimed over 13,000 lives,  Bangladesh has witnessed increased militancy and the caretaker government has detained tens of thousands, often ignoring basic due process, in its efforts to combat corruption and crime.  Bhutan continues to discriminate against citizens of Nepali origin. In the Maldives, there are serious curbs on political freedom.

To concentrate on South Asia  Regional security and economic progress cannot be achieved unless every citizen is provided with a secure environment to enjoy their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.  This is especially true for groups historically discriminated against, like women and children. Half of the world’s poor live in this region.  Policies and laws to help them will be useless unless effectively implemented.

The outcomes 

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All barrier is the ways of freedom and democracy are appropriately broken in such Environment people urge for freedom is greater people are always expecting more freedom of press, freedom of movement, freedom of religions ,and cultural freedom all over the world. The new democratic environment has created an opportunity to reassert Media’s Right and Freedom but that must be within certain ethics and responsibilities. It is true that the press is not full free because beside the black laws that are so many restriction in our society that have been infringing freedom of the press.

The outcomes 

Freedom of Press right to know, freedom of speech and access to the information are the hallmark of an undiluted democracy. Needing freedom, democracy and good governance are as undiluted as the human rights. So a free Media is essential for building a society with moral, ethical and democratic values that impact of society.

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The information is general and the Media is particular, can also be decisive by tipping the social and political palace on issues of authoritarianism and democracy. Autocracy and theocracy, development and parasitic consumption war and peace. Conflict prevention, conflict resolution and reconciliation are post conflict situation.

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If the media can function freely in democratic atmosphere, the society is benefited and civilization a boost from such freedom with all human rights.

Thank You