Ethical Practices in

Bangladesh Media

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Prepared for

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Barrister A. M. Masum
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Lecturer, School of Business
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North South University

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Prepared by
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ID # 061 545 030

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Student, School of Business

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North South University

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04 November 2009
INTRODUCTION

Ethics:
Ethics1 is concerned with the study of morality and the execution of reason to elucidate
specific rules and principles that determine right and wrong for any given situation. These
rules and principles are called ethical theories.

Media:
Media2 refers to various means of communication. For example, television, radio, and the
newspaper are different types of media. The term can also be used as a collective noun for
the press or news reporting agencies.

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1
Business Ethics A European Perspective, ANDREW CRANE & DIRK MATTEN, page # 11( 5th para)
2
http://www.techterms.com/definition/media

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 1

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BANGLADESH MEDIA OVERVIEW

The media we see in Bangladesh today is a result of changes in global economic and
political situation during the 1990s. The scenario of Bangladeshi media changed as
consistent with global and regional media scenario during this period.

In 1990, the beginning of globalization and ending of military rule occurred

simultaneously. On 06 December 1990, the first Caretaker Government withdrew a
newspaper control regulation from Special Powers Act, 1974. With this step, obtaining
registration for a newspaper became easier. There was a boom in print media just after
this landmark of 1990. In a country of 130 millions of people, though only about 1.3
million of copies of newspapers are sold daily, there were 300 dailies in Bangladesh at the
end of the millennium3.

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However, since 1990, Bangladeshi newspapers have been enjoying moderate level of press

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freedom as per the government control is concerned. And now we have influential
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newspapers such as Prothom Alo, Shomokal, Jugantar, Ittefaq, The Daily Star etc. Many
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of the newspapers are taking the challenge to break the shackle now and again.
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Globalization demands market liberalization along with the liberalization of media as well.
Being in the process, the government of Bangladesh gave permission to broadcast the
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satellite channels commercially though they always have heavily controlled the state
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owned radio and television channels.

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The electronic media of Bangladesh is expansive at the moment. Now there are twelve
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private satellite channels with ten more to come. These channels in general broadcast
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entertainment programs and news. There are four FM radio channels, major programs of
which are music and news. In media discourse, community radio is a much-talked issue
but the government is yet to give permission of any community radio.

3
BCDJC (Bangladesh Centre For Development, Journalism and Communication) (2003);

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 2

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RECENT UPDATES

In 2007, the then Caretaker Government ruled a state of emergency and the media went
again under control. However, the media gained freedom as soon as emergency was
withdrawn.

Press freedom in Bangladesh is restrained by physical harassment of journalists.

According to a study by Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), Bangladeshs position is the
136th in terms of press freedom and it is because political parties constantly endanger the
lives of journalists in 20084.

Besides governmental control by laws and strict watch and physical harassment against
journalists, corporate control by advertising and other media business related matters,

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restricts media to perform proper journalism.

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Although Article 39 (2) of Bangladesh constitution guarantees (a) the right of every citizen
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to freedom of speech and expression and (b) freedom of the press, there are 20
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constraining laws, including Official Secrets Act, designed to repress freedom of
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expression. The specific areas of restrictions are related to the security of the state,
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friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to
contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. After the strong demand of
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journalists and civil society, the government has decided to introduce Right to Information
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Act in 2007.
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http://www.rsf.org/en-classement794-2008.html

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 3

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SURVEY FINDINGS

CULTURAL ETHICS AND MEDIA

Graphical presentation of survey findings

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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 4

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Ananlysis of the findings

Survey respondents show a wide verity of preferences and attitudes towards cultural
aspects of the Bangladeshi media. Contradictory to our perception, some issues [i.e.
Bengali-English mixed language in FM radio, creating excessive craze for reality shows]
have been positively accepted as ethical by the audience; but the reason why they find it
ethical varies widely.

For example, participants were asked whether creating too much craze for reality shows
[i.e. Close-up-1] is ethical or not. 35% responded that they it is fair enough to create
craze and 15% respondent have found it actually justified to create craze; whereas only

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31% found it unethical. 19% participant could not decide if it was ethically justified.

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As for use of informal tone or slang language or Bengali-English mixed language was
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most of the times okay to half of the respondents; and overall only one-fourths of the
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respondent was unhappy with the language used.
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Promotion of western/Hindi programs or culture through Bangladeshi media was taken

cautiously by the respondents as long as it doesnt affect our own culture. But most of
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the people agree that it may sometimes cause ethical problems and medias too much
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attention to promote foreign culture is unethical.

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Therefore, from the survey it is clear that the media is meeting the audiences ethical
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expectations only when it secures our own Bangladeshi culture. Liberal efforts of
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promoting foreign culture or casual approaches are not ethically alarming to the
respondents.

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 5

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POLITICAL ETHICS AND MEDIA

Graphical presentation of survey findings

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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 6

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Ananlysis of the findings

In recent years, Bangladeshi media have often been criticized [particularly by

governments] that they excessively expose countrys fundamentalist terrorist activities to
the world community. And regarding this issue respondents seem to be divided. Although
many people feel it was right action by media to uncover any terrorist activity, most of the
respondent feel media should have cared more about the existing image crisis Bangladesh
has in the world community. Notably, very insignificant responses was there opposing the
medias activity.

However, Bangladeshi media went through the most critical state during the last caretaker

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governments rule. Media was under severe pressure from the government, civil society,

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political parties and more importantly the public. It was a challenge for the media to
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maintain unbiased attitude, and this is what the survey has found out. In the survey, more
than half of the respondents indicated that during that particular period, many media was
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more or less biased towards the caretaker government. Remarkably, these respondents
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judged it as ethical.
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However, as expected, very few respondents believe that politics is not affecting media, or
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politicians do not care about media. Rather, it is quite evident from the survey that
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Bangladeshi politics is always pretty concerned with the media and therefore always wants
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to control it. Most survey participant feels that politicians want to manipulate the media
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with their money-power. A considerable number of people think that the politicians are
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also quite dedicated to manipulate the media with muscle-power.

During the BDR mutiny on February this year, Government was criticized by a number of
civil society members and experts that they unethically allowed media to broadcast the
whole situation live. But through the survey, I have found that most people consider it as
an issue of situational judgment rather than ethical one.

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WOMEN IN MEDIA

Graphical presentation of survey findings

Ads are still promoting women in stereotyped characters - Ads are still
promoting women in stereotyped characters [i.e. Raadhuni]

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I do agree Most of the times Sometimes it is I disagree I'm not sure

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Presence of women is misrepresented to add unnecessary

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seduction in movies/TV shows/ads

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I do agree Most of the Sometimes it I disagree I'm not sure
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times is
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With the advancement of social media [i.e. Facebook], girls are

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abused more nowadays

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I disagree I'm not sure
I do agree Most of the Sometimes
times it is

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 8

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Ananlysis of the findings

From the survey it is quite evident that women continue to be disrespected in our media of
all categories.

Starting with the advertisements - Traditionally women in our country have long been
represented in the ads in stereotyped characters such as stay-home mothers or raadhuni
etc. Despite long criticism the media has little changed - as the survey has found out.
Almost every participant agrees more or less that women are still represented habitual
stereotyped roles in our media.

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Another area of concern for long time has been the misuse of women presence in

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movies/TV shows/ads. Particularly media is alleged of screening women as product and
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in cases creating unnecessary sex appeal. High percentage of the survey partakers still
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feels the same with most of them feeling sometimes it is so.

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Another growing area of concern is the vulnerability of women presence in online media.
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The abuse of women over web is growing area of concern nowadays. Abusers are
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exploiting the social media sites such as Facebook making the state of women presence
over web as well as in society more vulnerable. Majority of the survey respondents agree
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to this point more or less.

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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 9

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ADVERTISEMENT AND MEDIA

Graphical presentation of survey findings

12. Bangladeshi media [both print and digital] are alleged of showing
excessive ads. Whats your view?

* Its ethical as they * Bangladeshi

have the right to earn media do not show
as much as possible excessive ads
8% 0%

* Its unethical, but

media are bound to * Its unethical to
show excessive ads
do it for financial
purpose for ANY reason
64%
28%

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13. Despite large criticism, media continue to show controversial ads [such as
presentation of products like Fair & Lovely]; how do you feel about it?
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* Its not medias duty

* This is an example
to restrict such ads;
how unethical practice
LAW is required to stop
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Bangladeshi media do
these
despite criticism
20%
48%
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* Its ethical as there

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* Bangladeshi media
are demands for such cant avoid show ing
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products such ads as

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advertisers force them

16%

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 10

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Ananlysis of the findings

Excessive ad in all types of media has been a hot topic for years. Yet there is no sign of
change to overcome the situation. People are irritated with it and the survey indicates that
as well.

Roughly everyone is considering excessive ads as unethical behavior by media. 64%

participants clearly state that its completely unethical to show excessive ads for ANY
reason. Nevertheless, there are people sympathetic to media in the issue; they [about 28%]
believe that media are forced to show that much ads for the survival. However, still these
people count excessive ads as unethical.

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Deceptive ads are still a big concern for the audience. Products claiming to provide
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unreasonable/unrealistic benefits are promoted by media without thinking about the ethical
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background of it. For example, controversial and deceptive ads of controversial products
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such as Fair & Lovely have been carrying on heavily for years despite huge criticism. Half
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of the survey participants see this behavior as an indication of the medias poor ethical
standard. The rest of the people have interesting opinions. Some felt it was not medias
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duty to determine and restrict unethical ads whereas equal number of people commented
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that it was actually ethical as there are demands for such products.
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ONLINE MEDIA AND ETHICS

Graphical presentation of survey findings

14. Which of the following statements on Bangladeshi web/online

media do you agree with?

* Dow nloading
Bangladeshi * Social
movie/TV netw orking sites
serial/book for free have been used
IS ethical ethically here
7% 10%

* Bangladeshi
* Lack of bloggers are mostly
w eb/cyber law is blogging ethically [in
encouraging sites such as
unethical practices somew hereinblog.n

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80% et or amarblog.com]
0%

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Ananlysis of the findings
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Online media includes any medium of communication technology over internet. With the
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rapid growth of technology, this media is increasingly becoming more important everyday.
People from all over Bangladesh have already got involved to make use of the
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opportunities. Thus, new dimension of ethical issues have been introduced to us. 80%
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survey participants feel that lack of web/cyber law is allowing unethical practices.
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MORE ETHICAL ISSUES

Graphical presentation of survey findings

15. Most of the print media went crazy with the second marriage of writer
Humayun Ahmed. Do you think it was an ethical practice by the media?

* Im not sure if media has done the right thing 3

* Media has the right to look into famous persons personal life 5

* Media should not have interfered that much in the w riters 11

personal life
* This show s how unethical our media behaves generally, it 6
w as completely unethical practice

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16. Bangladeshi media generally follow pro-Islamic or extreme-Islamic

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attitude. How ethical is it?

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* Most Bangladeshi media have secular attitude
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* Its unethical, media should completely act secularly
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* Its okay, but sometimes it may be bad for minorities
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* Its ethical as most of the people follow Islam here
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17. Do you agree that Bangladeshi media puts more focus on negative
news than positive news?
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* Yes, they do. But * Its ethical as * Emphasizing * Its unethical * Sometimes I feel
its ethical as there is people are attracted more on negative ONLY if the attention Media needs to
more negative new s easily to negative new s is unethical. to negative new s is balance it w hatever
than positive ones new s [i.e. price hike, There cant be more brought artificially the reality is.
corruption] negative things than
positive.

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 13

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Ananlysis of the findings

These set of questions were developed to identify and analyze Bangladeshi medias stance
in situations of ethical dilemmas.

For instance, most, if not all, Bangladeshi TV channels and national newspapers follow
pro-Islamic approach. They are reluctant to go contrary to main stream of Islamic beliefs.
Majority finds it okay although they know that this may not be the ideal state for
minorities. However, interestingly, this pro-Islamic approach is unethical to one fourth of
the respondents; whereas another one-fourths acknowledging the Bangladeshi media as
secular.

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Another criticism media often face here is that they put more focus on negative news. To
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comment on it, respondents are found having distinguishable thoughts. One fourths of the
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people would not mind the focus on negative news if it is truly the case. Same numbers of
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people say it is unethical to create artificial attention with negative news. However, most
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of the people believe media should balance it whatever the reality is.
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Another controversial role was played by media when it went crazy on the personal life
and affairs of renowned writer Humayun Ahmed. The media totally disregarded the
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writers privacy and majority of this survey respondent think it was too much interference
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into ones private affairs.

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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 14

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MORE ETHICAL ISSUES

Graphical presentation of survey findings

18. What do you think, what are the TOP 3 factors affecting ethical
practice of traditional Bangladeshi media [TV channel/newspaper]?

* Other: 1

* Most of our popular media focus more on making

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money first; then they care about ethics
* Big corporations [i.e. Bashundhara] are affecting
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ethical media practices
* Journalists and media ow ners are often ignorant
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about ethical standards
* Terrorists are hostile tow ards media and alw ays
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threatens the media
* New spapers are largely dependant on
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Government Ads and delayed payments make them

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* Most of the media ow ners are political leaders 17

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* Most of the unbiased media are financially w eak 4

* Government often interfere in the name of so-

called censorship
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19. Finally, what would you you rate ethical practices by

Bangladeshi media?
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3
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1 [Very 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Poor] [Perfect]

Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 15

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Ananlysis of the findings

While asked to identify top three reasons behind our medias unethical practices, the
survey participants identified the top problem that most media are owned by political
figures and this is what is affecting the ethical practice. Influence of big corporations was
ranked second biggest problem. And finally they agreed that most of our popular media
focus more on making money first; then they care about ethics.

In conclusion, respondents were asked to rate the Bangladesh medias ethical practice in a
scale of 1 to 9 where 1 indicates the poorest ethical practices and 9 is the highest standard

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of ethical practices. The highest rate given was only 6 demonstrating that nobody believes

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our medias ethical practice is somewhere close to being perfect. Majority number of

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people rated it 4 that is below average. Overall, the rating was skewed more towards poor
ethical standards.
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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 16

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CONCLUSION

From the survey analysis we can conclude that Bangladeshi media has still a long way to
go to reach the ideal standards of ethical practices. Survey participants have recommended
quite a few suggestions which are summarized below:

1. Fair government policy and laws to establish a truly free media.

2. Proper training on journalism with required focus on ethics.

3. Prompt response and strong stance from general mass on ethical controversies.

4. Ensuring misuse of power by the corporations to control media on their favor.

Though dissatisfied with the current situation, survey respondents are hopeful that

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Bangladeshi media has the potential to establish standards of ethics. Most important

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comment I have found regarding the media ethics is that:

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Media in Bangladesh is one of the few good things we have. In last one decade
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or so, media has performed the biggest role to transform the society from the ultra-
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poor level to a better stage. It has lots of flaws; nevertheless, I see it has all the
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intention to work more ethically. Im sure our media will be something to be proud
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about in the coming years given that we really want to improve it

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Ethical Practices in Bangladesh Media 17

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