Journalism as a profession in Bangladesh-Final

Journalism as a Profession in Bangladesh: An Overview

Muhammad Zakaria* Md. Abul Kalam Azad**

*Lecturer, Department of Communication & Journalism, University of Chittagong ** Assistant Professor, Department of Communication & Journalism, University of Chittagong

Journalism as a Profession in Bangladesh: An Overview Abstract The role of media is undoubtedly an influential catalyst in each sphere of global scenario of this 21st century. Media or press is also in a very powerful position in Bangladesh. But Media professionals in Bangladesh, have to face lots of obstacles to perform their jobs. Especially journalists of print media do their jobs with poor salary and nominal facilities, and face lots of pressures and threats from different corners. Moreover, there is little or no job security in this profession. Such problematic situations compel a big portion of journalists to shift themselves to other lucrative professions. Despite such hindrances, the ratio of journalists is not very few who want to continue their job considering it as a challenging and glamorous one. To focus such problems and prospects of print journalism in Bangladesh an assessment has been presented here in the light of direct interviews from journalists of different national dailies.

Preamble The media upholds democracy and rights of mass people in the contemporary globe, and it is regarded as the fourth estate of a state to all. Former President of America Mr. Jefferson told, ‘Were it left to me to decide whether we should have government without newspaper or newspaper without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter (Alam, 1992: 9). Still the print media holds very important ranking in arena of Journalism despite there is an unprecedented advancement in all other branches of communication technology. Journalism is a very challenging profession that always embraces terrible risks and threats. No matter whether there is a risk, a man who once involves himself with journalism can never leaves it easily because of its dominating glamour that is deeply connected with the destiny of political, social, economical, cultural and all other activities of a state.

The Condition of Journalists in Bangladesh Journalism, a prestigious job in Bangladesh and those who are involved in this noble profession play vital role in different sectors of this country. Although as a profession journalism is a very important one, no qualification is specified for becoming journalist likely politician. However, this situation has been slightly changed in last few years. A graduate can join the media organization, but in some cases university degree in journalism is prerequisite condition of the recruitment (Ahmed, 2005 : 2). According to a statistics, the number of registered newspaper is

more than two thousand and there are more than four hundred dailies throughout the country. It is important to mention here that more than two hundreds newspapers are printed from capital Dhaka (Saiful, 2005: 27)

The former chairman of Bangladesh Press Council Justice Sultan Hossain Khan opined that the number of published dailies is huge in comparison to economic condition of Bangladesh. He also stated that the publication of newspaper should be regarded as the commercial project. The people who are financially affluent should come forward to take initiative to develop newspaper industry. Moreover, to uphold the freedom of press, the minimum financial solvency of journalists should be prioritized (Banna, 2004 : 2). But it is a matter of regret journalists are often not receiving salary for months after months in Bangladesh (Alam, 2003 : 14).

The condition of journalists working at local areas is not satisfactory. A good number of the dailies do not provide salary properly to their local journalists. Most of the pressmen of the different dailies published from divisional and district level are drawing less than Taka one thousand per month that is even less than a day labor (Alam, 2003 : 13). The problem of journalists is not only confined to salary. Even they have to face the adverse working environment. Uncertainty in job, violation of rules in appointment and promotion are common allegations from journalists (Sen, 2002 : 23).

According to a study in 1995 on Dhaka city newspapers, about 69% journalists are getting salary as per 4th wage board but they are not enjoying other facilities or incentives stated in 4 th wage board. Journalists are blaming the owners’ commercial attitude for this sort of deprivation. For this reason most of the journalists are not satisfied with their present jobs.

In a research done in 2000 regarding the condition of journalists, it is found that 50 percent journalists are not satisfied to their salary and other facilities. This research was based on the interview of Journalists of 67 dailies published from six divisions including Dhaka. The research showed that 68 percent pressmen felt disappointed being connected with journalism profession (Kamal, 2000 : 5-6).

Research Objectives 1. To know the status of the journalists in the job market in Bangladesh. 2. To evaluate the job satisfaction of the journalists in journalism. 3. To focus on different problems and prospects of print journalism in Bangladesh.

Research Method and data Analysis: Data collection process Data collection is done through survey in questionnaire process. During the preparation of questionnaire four points were taken into consideration according to psychologist PC smith of Bowling Green State University (Anne, 1979 : 22). That is why to find the concrete decisions from the research four types of questions were made. Among them one set was for journalist aged below 35 because they have option to choose another job. Through the questions, we collected their opinion regarding the problem and prospect of their profession and their willing to continue the present profession.

Journalists aged more than 35 were asked about their satisfaction in journalism profession. From their comment we have assessed the prevailing condition of journalism. Moreover, the questions were also set to ask the people who left journalism profession. We asked the questions as like as why they left journalism, what were the problem in this job and what they think about their decision of leaving journalism. Apart from the journalists’ comment we also took opinions from different people of different jobs to know their observation about the existing condition of journalism profession. Population & Sampling All journalists of print media in Bangladesh are regarded as the population in this research. Thirty journalists aged below 35 and eighteen aged above 35 from six dailies are the sample in this research. The dailies are The Prothom Alo, The Jugantor, The Daily Star, The Manob Jamin, The Ajkar Kagoj, The Khabarpatara, Two Bengali Dailies and one English Daily are taken here as per their leading circulation. These leading dailies have been chosen thinking that financially

the journalists of these dailies are expected to be in better position financially than the journalists of other dailies. The other three lower circulated dailies have been selected to find out the status of journalists of these dailies. Two categories of dailies have been taken to analyze practical real condition of journalism profession by comparing answers of journalists from both categories.

Findings Thirty Journalists aged below 35 years were asked questions about their fulfillment of expectation, willing to change profession, the causes of dissatisfaction in journalism and the possibility of being honest in journalism profession. Findings from their answers are shown in following tables. Table 1: Fulfillment of Expectation Name of the

Fulfillment of Expectation

Dailies

Near to

Fulfilling of

Expectation

Expectation

Not at all

The Prothom Alo

1

2

1

1

The Jugantor

0

2

2

1

The Daily Star

1

3

1

0

The Manob Jamin

0

2

1

2

The Ajker Kagoj

0

1

2

2

The Khabarpatra

0

1

1

3

Total

2

11

8

9

Percentage

6.66%

36.66%

26.66%

30%

Table 1 showed that only 6.66% journalists have expressed their complete satisfaction with their profession. On the other hand, 30% journalists’ expectation has not been fulfilled at all.

Table 2: Willing to Change Profession Name of Dailies

Yes

No

The Prothom Alo

2

3

The Jugantor

2

3

The Daily Star

3

2

The Manob Jamin

2

3

The Ajker Kagoj

3

2

The Khabarpatra

4

1

Total

16

14

Percentage

53.33%

46.66%

Table 2 displays that 53.33% journalists want to change their profession where as 46.66% journalists want to continue their profession. It is also very significant from this table that there is no daily from where journalists do not want to change their professions. Table 3: Causes of Changing Journalism Profession Name of Dailies

Feeling

The Prothom Alo

1

Poor Salary Inefficient Facilities 0

The Jugantor

0

2

0

The Daily Star

0

1

2

The Manob Jamin

0

2

0

The Ajker Kagoj

0

3

0

The Khabarpatra

0

3

1

Total

1

11

4

Percentage

6.25%

68.75%

25%

Uneasy

Other Courses

1

As mentioned in table 3 that 68.75% journalists want to change their profession because of poor insufficient salary and facilities. But there is an exception in Prothom Alo where no journalist of this leading daily

want to change profession because of poor salary. We know that in

Bangladesh Prothom Alo is a daily that provides handsome salary with other attractive facilities for journalists. Insecurity is included with the other causes of changing this profession. Since journalism is a challenging profession, many journalists feel insecure to perform their professional duties. 25% journalists want to switch to other jobs because of insecurity and other problems.

Table 4: Scope of Maintaining Honesty in Journalism Name of Dailies

Yes

No

The Prothom Alo

4

1

The Jugantor

3

2

The Daily Star

4

1

The Manob Jamin

3

2

The Ajker Kagoj

2

3

The Khabarpatra

1

4

Total

17

13

Percentage

56.66%

43.33%

From this table 4, about 57% (accurate 56.66%) journalists replied that it is possible to maintain honesty in this profession. But 43.33% journalists replied negative in this regard. Analysis of answers from journalist aged above 35 We have got some interesting information at this stage of research. All samples informed us that despite having lucrative offers in other jobs they did not leave journalism profession because of a

kind of attraction towards the glamour of journalism. But very interesting matter is that when we asked questions most of them answered that after passing many years they realize that they have made mistake continuing their service in journalism profession.

Table 5: Choosing Journalism is a mistake Name of Dailies

Yes

No

Total

The Prothom Alo

1

2

3

The Jugantor

2

1

3

The Daily Star

1

2

3

The Manob Jamin

2

1

3

The Ajker Kagoj

2

1

3

The Khabarpatra

3

0

3

Total

11

7

18

Percentage

61.11%

38.88%

100%

Table 5 shows that 61.11% journalists feel that it was their mistake that they chose journalism profession. On the other hand, 38.88% think that choosing journalism profession was their correct decision. Analyzing this table we find that it is Khaborbarta where all journalists aged over 35 are disappointed and they think that it was their wrong decision to begin journalism as a profession. However, regarding social honor and prestige, all the journalists who were asked replied the same telling that the present scenario of this profession is better than the past. We asked all journalists (sample) aged below 35 and above 35 some common questions regarding salary, increment and promotion. From their answers we have found data described in table : 6 and table : 7. .

Table 6: Regular Increment Name of Dailies

Yes

No

Total

The Prothom Alo

5

3

8

The Jugantor

3

5

8

The Daily Star

6

2

8

The Manob Jamin

2

6

8

The Ajker Kagoj

2

6

8

The Khabarpatra

1

7

8

Total

19

29

48

39.58%

60.41%

100%

Percentage

From the above table we find that it is Prothom Alo that provides regular increment to the highest number of journalists whereas Khoborbarta is the lowest. The notable point of this table is that only 40% journalists are having regular increments. Table 7: Regular Promotion Name of Dailies

Yes

No

Total

The Prothom Alo

4

4

8

The Jugantor

2

6

8

The Daily Star

3

5

8

The Manob Jamin

1

7

8

The Ajker Kagoj

0

8

8

The Khabarpatra

0

8

8

Total

10

38

48

20.83%

79.16%

100%

Percentage

Here we find that only 20.83% journalists are getting regular promotion. On the other hand, 79.16% are not being promoted regularly. This scenario is not only in low circulated dailies but also in the dailies who declare themselves that they are the highest circulated dailies. Suppose, as

per this table : 7 we see that eight journalists of The Prothom Alo, country’s leading daily, were interviewed and among them half portion of journalists are not getting promotion regularly. Now we will look to the following table 8 where we have displayed data collected from former journalists who joined different jobs including government and private organizations leaving journalism profession.

Table 8: Comparison of Salaries No.

Name of Dailies

Salary

12,000/- BDT

Names of Organization where Journalists of Dailies Join Singer

1

The Daily Star

2

Salary

20,000/- BDT

The Daily Star

14,000/- BDT

Unilever

22,000/- BDT

3

The Prothom Alo

11,000/- BDT

Partex Group

18,000/- BDT

4

The Jugantor

12,000/- BDT

Basic Bank

19,000/- BDT

5

The Manob Jamin

9,000/- BDT

Apex Tannery

15,000/- BDT

6

The Ajker Kagoj

7,000/- BDT

BRAC

12,000/- BDT

7

The New Nation

8,000/- BDT

Premier Bank

14,000/- BDT

8

The Khabarpatra

6,000/- BDT

Pran Group

11,000/- BDT

In table 8, data have been collected from 15 journalists among them eight joined multinational companies like Unilever and NGO, two joined in government service and five started business. This table shows that poorer salary compelled them to choose other professions. But it is amazing that still all of them feel fascination in journalism despite they have changed their track to enjoy much more facilities. Analyzing the findings stated above we have identified following notable problems prevailing in print journalism in Bangladesh:

1. As a profession, journalism is full of uncertainly and for which there is no job security here. Since there is no specific rules and regulation of recruitment of journalism profession, anyone can get scope to be a media person maintaining lobbying without any specific educational qualification that obviously downgrades the image of journalists. 2. The salary structure in journalism profession is very poorer in comparison to honor and social status of this profession. Owners of most of newspapers do not follow rules and regulations in respect of paying salary. 3. Pressmen have to face lots of barriers as like as threat from different corners including government and political organizations. 4. Reporters cannot perform their professional duties properly for the betterment of countrymen being pressurized by the corrupt media owners. 5. Journalism now appears as a very risky profession and that is why journalists feel insecure to perform their professional duties in many cases. 6. There is no pension facility as well as retirement policy in journalism.

Conclusion Despite having different problems in journalism in Bangladesh, many people, especially the young talents both male and female are getting more and more interest to join this honorable and challenging profession. The increasing rate of the interest of different sector’s people in journalism reveals the importance of journalism in the professional world. In fine, it can be stated that the journalism is a prospective growing job industry for the country as well as the world. The government of Bangladesh and private investors should come forward to promote this prospective job industry with professionalism and commitment. Not only that, the journalists should also be more committed to their profession as well as the country. An attempt has been made to pin point on the real problems of the journalism profession in this present study, which reveals the different aspects of journalism profession in print media in Bangladesh like insecurity, risk, insufficient facilities, lack of proper job policy, etc. Despite having limitations in this study, the study proposes few recommendations, which are mentioned before for promoting and developing the profession ‘journalism’.

Recommendation To develop journalism as a profession in Bangladesh, it is urgently needed to take necessary steps, which are mentioned below: 1. To create social awareness about journalism. 2. Attractive salary as well as other facilities should be ensured for journalists so that talents feel inspired to join journalism. 3. Owners of newspapers must be accountable whether they are paying salary to working journalists following rules of wage board. 4. Specific rules should be introduced in recruitment of journalists so that qualified candidates get scope in this profession. 5. Proper security measures must be ensured for journalists so that they can cover all of their beats comfortably. 6. The newspaper owners and editors should be more attentive to journalists’ professional and even to personal problems also. 7. The knowledgeable investors regarding journalism should come forward to invest in newspaper industry. 8

Journalists should be given proper training for the advancement of journalism.

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6. Sen, N. (2002). Deshe etho Sangbadpatra, Etho Sangbadik (So many newspapers, so many Journalists in the country). Bartajibee (Message Professioal), March, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7. Kamal, A. (2000). Bangladesher Sangbadpatre Kormoroto Sangbadikeder Obostha (The state of working Journalists of Newspaper in Bangladesh). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Press Institute (PIB). 8. Anne, A. (1979). Fields of Applied Psychology. 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill.