Media must understand public aspirations: Mahmudur Rahman Manna

Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the media should be more responsive to the public's needs and should not be controlled by government organisations such as the defence intelligence agency.

"A wave of reforms is underway, yet no one is thinking deeply about it. The media must understand the aspirations of the people. Why should the media be controlled by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence? Why must our media listen to them? These are matters that urgently require reform," Manna said.

He made the remarks at a discussion titled "The Role of Media and Public Aspirations in Post-Revolution Bangladesh" held at the National Press Club today (11 October). The event was organised by The Voice of Times.

Manna further said, "The media can do a lot if they understand the situation. For 16 years, there was self-censorship. There was no creative journalism, no objective journalism. So what is the media doing now?"

Islamic University Associate Professor Abdul Mannan said at the discussion, "The extortionists have changed now. Even if the national media does not recognise them, local people know their political identities. You cannot suppress public anger by hiding it through the media."

Photographer Shahidul Alam said, "Other countries have people-oriented media, but we do not. BTV and Bangladesh Betar run on public money. It should run on our terms. We need to reclaim these media. Otherwise, what is the use of these state-owned media?"

The discussion focused on the role of the media in the current state of Bangladesh. Speakers argued that the media should be more responsive to the public's needs and should not be controlled by the government.