The forefathers of viral content and click-bait | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
The forefathers of viral content and click-bait

Panorama

Sharifuzzaman
20 November, 2020, 01:55 pm
Last modified: 20 November, 2020, 02:12 pm

Related News

  • How going viral backfired for a watermelon seller in Karwan Bazar
  • Don't want Hasina's AL anymore: Curious status on Facebook profile of jailed Faruk Khan
  • Questionable, controversial outfit of student at Cuet admission test goes viral
  • 'Wholesome': Photos of Khaleda-Tarique reunion after seven years captivate netizens
  • Photo of Bangladesh elderly man having leftovers from 2023, not recent: Rumour Scanner 

The forefathers of viral content and click-bait

Periodicals, supplements and weeklies made the first successful uses of “click-bait” in Bangladesh and around the world before the Internet made it its own

Sharifuzzaman
20 November, 2020, 01:55 pm
Last modified: 20 November, 2020, 02:12 pm
The photo at the top is of the famous Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, featured in the “Anondolok” in 1980 while, the bottom pictures are cover photos of two popular weeklies Bichitra and Begum both of which shook the patriarchal conservative society to its core. Photo: Collected
The photo at the top is of the famous Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, featured in the “Anondolok” in 1980 while, the bottom pictures are cover photos of two popular weeklies Bichitra and Begum both of which shook the patriarchal conservative society to its core. Photo: Collected

"You won't believe your eyes when you see these pictures!" 

"Top 5 things your favourite actor says that'll shock you!!" 

The internet is brimming with dazzling headlines and eye-catching images that suck us in instantly and keep us glued, as we hop from one attraction to another.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

These online articles and stories with their attractive headlines and cover photos are popularly termed "click-baits" which have become a part and parcel of our web surfing experience and an inseparable sensation that, albeit irritating at times, is quite addictive and consuming.

Click-baiting headlines and striking images to attract attention aren't the invention of the modern period, though. Their use goes back decades and in some countries, even centuries.

Periodicals, supplements and weeklies made the first successful uses of "click-baiting" in many regions, including British Bengal, long before the Internet claimed it.

Both pictures are taken from supplements of the Daily Sangbad; the left picture draws society’s attention to starving children in Rangpur and the article is titled “Think of them too”, dated November 1991. The right picture features a provocative article called “The Hospital should be treated first' criticising its unhealthy condition, July 1990. Photo: Collected
Both pictures are taken from supplements of the Daily Sangbad; the left picture draws society’s attention to starving children in Rangpur and the article is titled “Think of them too”, dated November 1991. The right picture features a provocative article called “The Hospital should be treated first' criticising its unhealthy condition, July 1990. Photo: Collected

Bengali periodicals such as Sangbad Pravakar, Bengal Gazette and other nineteenth century publications lacked enough audience to make successful use of that strategy since a tiny portion of the population was literate and printed papers were a luxury for an overpopulated agro-society. 

But the 1960s and 1970s saw a tremendous rise of literacy rate in the then East Pakistan. The emergence of a middle class created the perfect atmosphere for periodicals to flourish. Janata, Holliday, Chitrita as well as many others caught public attention.

Magazines and supplements started publishing what they considered to be interesting and eye-catching content (which proved to be financially viable as well). At a time when the social and political atmosphere of the entire Bengal region was quite volatile, the periodicals and their dazzling stories provided an escape for a tired populace, which can be described using Professor Brian Maidment's words as an example of 'diversion being more marketable than information'. 

Bangladeshi periodicals as well as Indian ones such as Jonaki, Dhulokhela and others brought the glamorous film world right into the conservative middle-class homes. Concepts as feminism and women's independence also struck  society in a new light.

But, of course, these periodicals weren't only about diversions. They brought up social issues, politics and cultural debates as well. Striking and sometimes provocative images stunned the people with shock and horror (emotions that wouldn't be triggered in a bland news article). One edition of The Sangbad featured a shocking picture of starving children with a heart-breaking title.

Provocative headlines or images to draw public attention have been the hallmark of Bengali journalism (at least for the periodicals) since the partition itself. For example, depiction of West Pakistan's ill treatment of the eastern wing became highly popular and discussed during the Pakistani period (1947-1971).

The periodicals, though effective in attracting public attention to social issues some of the time, also proved to be a source of cheap consumption. Unrelated, sometimes irrelevant, information was fed to the people under the guise of interesting titles. This led to a time when even health tips had to be written and advertised in a way that'd appeal to the public. The rush for popular attention, therefore, started long before the birth of the Internet.

A depiction of West's ill treatment of East Pakistan by the Cartoonist Ahmed titled “After the honeymoon” showing a burkha-clad wife, marked East Pak, pulling a cart carrying the husband, marked West Pak, towards a “Punjabi Paradise”. These became quite a feature in periodicals which ignited lively discussions among Bengali youths. Photo :Collected
A depiction of West's ill treatment of East Pakistan by the Cartoonist Ahmed titled “After the honeymoon” showing a burkha-clad wife, marked East Pak, pulling a cart carrying the husband, marked West Pak, towards a “Punjabi Paradise”. These became quite a feature in periodicals which ignited lively discussions among Bengali youths. Photo :Collected

The titles and the cover photos attracted people much like they do in today's internet. The periodicals which turned into the centre of discussions for many in the country (in most cases, they outsold the newspapers of the day too) became obsolete in the twenty first century with the advent of the Internet as click-baits and flashy emojis replaced them.

However, the Internet is not the only factor that contributed to their downfall, many popular weeklies lost their appeal once the original writers, contributors and editors retired, many went bankrupt after failing to survive in a fiercely competitive atmosphere. Weeklies like the Bichitra – once famous for its scathing criticism of social issues, government policies and literary pieces – got suppressed during the military rule of General Ershad in the '80s and eventually discontinued. This fate, however, was shared by many weeklies later in the century. Eventually, the periodicals have become a thing of the past and in today's world they enjoy a fraction of public attention they once did.

The picture on the left is from a supplement of Banglabazar that tells the story of two Korean sisters (who are twins and were actresses in their youths) celebrating a centenary of their birthday with a catchy headline; on the left a health column which is titled “Heart-attack in the stomach!”. Photo: Collected
The picture on the left is from a supplement of Banglabazar that tells the story of two Korean sisters (who are twins and were actresses in their youths) celebrating a centenary of their birthday with a catchy headline; on the left a health column which is titled “Heart-attack in the stomach!”. Photo: Collected

All said and done, periodicals, supplements, weeklies and monthlies have left a deep mark in our society or for that matter in every society. Today's Internet click-baits and viral stories keep us glued online for the better part of the day, but it's worth remembering that the strategies behind Internet's greatest attractions were born in ink and paper, and their births precede that of the Internet itself by a long time.

(Sources: Public domain of the web, personal collection of magazines and Van Schendel's "A History of Bangladesh")

Analysis / Top News

click-bait / content / viral

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • The meeting is being held at the chief adviser’s official residence Jamuna. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Signs of conspiracies by defeated forces becoming visible: CA Yunus
  • Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya. File photo: UNB
    Another govt exists within the interim administration: Debapriya
  • News of The Day, 23 JULY 2025
    News of The Day, 23 JULY 2025

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Why Bangladesh's capital market is poised for a bull run
    Why Bangladesh's capital market is poised for a bull run
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Exim Bank's former chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder being taken to court on 22 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Will repay all money if granted bail, won’t run away, ex-Exim Bank chair Nazrul tells court

Related News

  • How going viral backfired for a watermelon seller in Karwan Bazar
  • Don't want Hasina's AL anymore: Curious status on Facebook profile of jailed Faruk Khan
  • Questionable, controversial outfit of student at Cuet admission test goes viral
  • 'Wholesome': Photos of Khaleda-Tarique reunion after seven years captivate netizens
  • Photo of Bangladesh elderly man having leftovers from 2023, not recent: Rumour Scanner 

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

22h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Milestone students demand accurate information about the deceased to be released

Milestone students demand accurate information about the deceased to be released

21m | TBS Today
News of The Day, 23 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 23 JULY 2025

46m | TBS News of the day
What Are the Parties Saying About the Appointment of Other Constitutional Bodies?

What Are the Parties Saying About the Appointment of Other Constitutional Bodies?

56m | TBS Today
Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder

Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder

1h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net