File - Tohura Moriom Misti

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A
Term Paper
On
Ensuring Good Governance: A Critical Study on the Role of Media in
Bangladesh
Course Name: Development and Governance
Course No: 306
Submitted to
Niloy Ranjan Biswas
Lecturer
Dept. of International Relations,
University of Dhaka
Submitted by
Tohura Moriom Misti (SN 19)
3rd year, 6th semester,
Dept. of International Relations,
University of Dhaka.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 15 NOVEMBER, 2012.
Contents of the paper:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CONCEPTUAL ASPECTS
3. RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
4. METHODOLOGY
5. IDEAL FUNCTIONS OF MASS MEDIA
6. ROLE OF MEDIA IN GOOD GOVERNANCE IN BANGLADESH
7. CHALLENGES FOR MEDIA IN ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE
8. EXPECTED MEASURES
9. CONCLUSION
1. INTRODUCTION
While people of Bangladesh are enjoying every national events sitting on their sofa and can
comment on it and can take action over any injustice then the whole praise must go the media.
This scenario also indicates the existence of good governance. The terms “governance” and
“good governance” are not new concepts. In fact the idea of good governance has been
practicing since the Aristotle period. But they have recently come to occupy an important place
in development literature, and in the concerns and considerations of major international donors.
Now the concept of good governance has become a donor driven idea. Indeed, more and more
importance is attached to the notion of good governance. Good governance has some
characteristics and these characteristics are adopting new factors with the changing world. At
present context mass media can play an important role in ensuring good governance, especially,
in developing countries where alternative sources of information are scarce. In this assignment I
will first explain the ideal functions of mass media in ensuring good governance, then I’ll try to
analyze the actual role that mass media is playing to ensure good governance in Bangladesh. I
will also try to find out the challenges for mass media in Bangladesh in this regard. Finally, I will
try to find measures that may make mass media more effective in Bangladesh.
2. CONCEPTUAL ASPECTS
The concept of "governance" simply means the process through which decisions are
implemented (or not implemented).1 According to World Bank booklet reports in 1992,
governance is the "manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s
economic and social resources for development".2 Since 1978, the super state, World Bank has
proposed a political term called good governance. In general sense good governance means an
“ideal governing system” of a country. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Good
governance is- “ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency accountability of the public
sector, and tackling corruption.”3 Good governance is a form of governance that represents eight
1
http://www.unescap.org/huset/gg/governance.htm
Khan, M.M., "Urban local Governance in Bangladesh: An overview", Journal of Administration and Diplomacy,
Vol.4, No.1 Jan-Jun, p.2, 1996.
3
Merilee S. Grindle, ‘Good Enough Governance Revisited’ A Report for DFID with reference to the Governance
Target Strategy Paper-2001, Harvard University, February 2005.
2
specific characteristics, and can be seen as an ideal of governance. According to V. K. Chopra,
Good governance embodies processes that are “participatory, consensus oriented, accountable,
transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and [which follow] the
rule of law”.4
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
participatory
equitable
and
inclusivenes
s
responsiven
ess
consencus
oriented
Good
Governance
follows rule
of law
effectiveness
and
efficiency
transparent
accountabl
e
4
Chopra, V.K., "The mirage of good governance", Towards good governance, eds; chopra, S.K., Konark publishers
Pvt. ltd. Delhi-110092, p.32, 1997.
Mass media is especially crucial for ensuring good governance at present context. Generally,
"media" refers to various means of communication.5 Nowadays, mass media has become
increasingly popular. It consists of radio, television, magazines, newspapers, and of course, the
Internet.6 In this term paper I will focus on the role of print media (newspapers) and electronic
media (TV and Radio channels) of Bangladesh.
3. RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
Many often say, ‘there is nothing worth called “good governance’ as the governance should be
meant to be good’ is. But the reality is that the governance in countries like Bangladesh has not
been almost never up to the mark to the extent that we can call it ‘good’(up-to the mark and good
made redundancy and hasn’t been and never; 2 negative words is wrong for one negative
meaning. For example this line can be easier like ‘has never reached such a position where we
can name it good governance’). Besides that, there should always be room for development or
progress.
In Bangladesh mass media has flourished more rapidly than many other countries of the world.
Private media sector have flourished since 1990’s. At present there are 15 privately owned TV
channels and 5 privately owned FM radio channels with 3 state owned TV channels (BTV, BTV
World and Shangshad TV) and 1 state owned radio channel (Bangladesh Betar). Declaration had
been given to 496 dailies, of which 298 are being published. Of the news agencies, state-run
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and privately owned United News of Bangladesh (UNB)
are in the mainstream.
In one sense, this is a very good sign as mass media is often called the Oxygen for democracy.
But, there is a flaming question that is media functioning for the sake of giving people voice (as
the reflection of public voice), right to participate (to ensure right to participate) and for the sake
of good governance or they have emerged as a tool of selling news and goods of the West and
serve the interest of the Donor countries in the name of good governance? This is the high time
5
http://www.iwebtool.com/computer_glossary.
6
Civil Society - Global Issues - TakingITGlobal issues.tigweb.org/civilsociety.
to think about it. Therefore, I think that, this study is very much relevant for the present context
(the study is considerably relevant with the present context).
4. METHODOLOGY
For this term paper I have followed two methods: Literature reviews and Qualitative interviews.
I have reviewed journals, books, reports of UNESCO and CPJ (Committee to Protect
Journalists), browsed websites and interviewed Dr. A J M Shafiul Islam7 and Mahmudul Haque
Moni8. (Better if you could explain the methodology more elaborately)
5. IDEAL FUNCTIONS OF MASS MEDIA
Mass media has some ideal functions that can ensure good governance in a state, although the
functions are not visible in every country but more or less these are similar in the democratic
countries. (Practiced and maintained).
7
Dr. A J M Shafiul Islam is an associate professor of Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism at University of
Dhaka.
8
Mahmudul Haque Moni was a lecturer of Journalism at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and he is also
an Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Media is the
Fourth Estate
Mass
Media is to
Inform and
to Educate
Watch-dog
Role of
Mass
Media
5.1 MEDIA IS THE FOURTH ESTATE
Media is called the fourth estate. Liberal theories stress the importance of an independent fourth
estate as a check on the abuse of power. Media systems strengthen good governance and promote
positive development outcomes most effectively under two conditions:
(i)
Where channels of mass communications are free and independent of established
interests (‘with’ can be more appropriate but ‘of’ sounds wrong) and in addition
(ii)
Where there is widespread diffusion and public access to these media. (Where there is
widespread of diffusion and flexibility of public access in media) The ‘fourth estate’ has
traditionally been regarded as one of the classic checks and balances in the division of
powers.
5.2 WATCH-DOG ROLE OF MASS MEDIA
Mass media plays the watch-dog role of (for) the governing system of a country. Mass media
keep an eye on the government and on those involved in governance, highlighting (highlight)
policy failures, maladministration, corruption, and scandals.9
5.3 MASS MEDIA IS TO INFORM AND TO EDUCATE
Experts say that mass media should inform the mass people about different decisions and
governmental functions, and thereby educate them (enhance their knowledge). At the same time
mass media play a very significant role to entertain the people. But, the most important thing is
that there must be balance among these three functions (the three functions must be kept in
balance). A free, accountable and vibrant mass media disseminates information, informs the
public and policy maker alike, creates space for diverse views regarding socio-economic and
political processes, and increases people’s scope for democratic participation.10
6. THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN GOOD GOVERNANCE
When we talk about good governance we in fact refer to the working relation among the three
organs of the state and actions of the executive branch of the state. In operational terms this refer
to enjoyment (The satisfaction) of fundamental human rights, independent (Independence) of
judiciary, transparency, accountability, predictability, effectiveness and efficiency of the
government. Media plays a very significant role in promoting these terms for good governance
(By supporting in strengthening). The central characteristics which are plays (played) by media
for good governance are ensuring transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness,
equity and inclusiveness, public participation in governance, consensus orientation, and rule
(ruling) of law.
9
Chapter 1 in Pippa Norris. 2001. Digital Divide: Civic
Engagement, Information Poverty and the Internet Worldwide. NY: Cambridge University Press.
10
Mohammed Iliyas, The Power of Media to Ensure Good Governance, September 24, 2010, Thinking Youth Blog.
6.1 TRANSPARENCY
Transparency is widely recognized as a core principle of good governance. Transparency means
sharing information and acting in an open manner. Free access to information is a key element in
promoting transparency (of strong). Information, however, must be timely, relevant, accurate and
complete for it to be used effectively.11 The mass media, by keeping policy and decision makers
under constant inspection, highlighting policy failures and reporting scams of public money can
significantly function in ensuring transparency of government and corporate sectors and the
judiciary.12 Media ensures transparency through providing information. Media publishes
government reports, decisions, and policies on various issues and gives the people chance to
raise questions on those issues and thus put pressure on the government to be transparent (more
accountable and effective in decision making, not that much important, but I feel ‘through
transparency, transparency can be promoted’ sounds a bit wrong)
6.2 ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability refers to
"The obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions."
Accountability means that public institutions and functionaries are answerable to (obliged to
answer the queries of) people and their institutional stakeholders. Free mass media create an
informed polity that is more prepared to hold their elected representatives accountable.
Information is vital for the public to be aware of the government’s actions and make political
decisions accordingly (Information is helping the public in taking their political decision? Or
Govt’s? This sentence sounds like its govt’s. Otherwise could be like ‘take concerned decision
accordingly). Without this information, people cannot demand change or accountability from
their government and social institutions. Thus, the mass media acts as a catalyst for creating
positive governance outcomes as people, and in turn governments, are motivated to enact
changes in the institutional structure that enhance democracy. In addition, an effective mass
11
V. K. Parigi, Dr. P. Geeta, Rameesh Kailasam, Ushering in Transparency for Good Governance, Centre for Good
Governance, Hyderabad, India.
12
Democratic Governance and the Role of Media in promoting Equitable Development: Bangladesh Perspective, by
Governance Advocacy Forum.
media also provides policy makers and governments with information which are vital to
addressing a nation’s policy and development needs.13
6.3 EFFICIENCY
Mass media enable the people to be informed about the government functionaries to operate
efficiently and effectively. It aims to put an end to inconsistent government practices and helps in
establishing a responsive state. Good governance requires that processes and institutions produce
results that meet the needs of society.
6.4 EQUITY AND INCLUSIVENESS
Media plays a very remarkable role for a society in promoting (by ensuring) the equal rights for
everyone. The well-being of a society depends on ensuring that all its members feel (in such a
way) that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. Mass
media can provide voice to those marginalized because of poverty, gender, or ethnic or religious
affiliation. By giving these groups a place in the media, their views – and their afflictions –
become part of mainstream public debate and hopefully contribute to the injustices against them
ought to be redressed.
6.5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Public participation is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation needs to be informed
and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an
organized civil society on the other hand. The mass media in Bangladesh, especially the print
media, plays a role in informing the public of governance-related concerns such as the
government and opposition’s political performance and internal governance, electoral process
issues and public corruption. The electronic media provides a discursive space for debate and
expression of views to the polity for political actors that are not available within mainstream
political institutions.14
13
Irum Shehreen Ali, Governance and the Media, The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2006, Centre for
Governance Studies, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
14
Ibid.
6.6 CONSENSUS ORIENTED
There are several actors and as many viewpoints in a given society. Good governance requires
mediation of the different interests in (of) society to reach a broad consensus in society on what
is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a
broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how
to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the
historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community which is promoted by the
media. The media can also help (in) build(ing) peace and social consensus, without which
democracy is threatened (meaningless).
6.7 RULE OF LAW
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires
full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws
requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. 15 Where the
rule of law is weak and the judiciary is unable and unwilling to defend press rights, corruption
level is higher in those countries. This is a big challenge to ensure (against) good governance in a
country.
6.8 OTHER ROLES:
Other roles of media in promoting good governance are something like the followings:
-
Open democracy and open pluralistic societies.
-
Strengthening a transparent, accountable, effective and efficient national and local
government.
-
Promotion of respect and for human rights.
-
Promotion of anti-corruption initiatives.16
-
Drawing attention to institutional failings – corruption, fraud, waste, inefficiency,
cronyism, nepotism, abuse of power.
15
http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Hussain Saddat, “Good Governance- A case for training intervention”, proshikkyan, Journal of Bangladesh society
for training and development (BSTD), vol. 2, No.1, p.2, Jan-Jun, 1995.
16
-
Making people more aware of political issues and options and helping to stimulate
debate.
-
Enabling people to have access to government programs, schemes and benefits.
-
Making people more aware of their rights and entitlements.
-
Popular participation in decision making and implementation.
-
Efficient delivery system of services and goods.
-
Promote an equalitarian social and economic order.
-
Highlight citizen grievances.17
Mass media can make full use of their potential to contribute to the consolidation of good
governance if their rights are protected. Moreover they need to have the requisite skills for the
kind of textured and in-depth reporting that new democracies require. Because mass media are
powerful, there should also be mechanisms to ensure (that) they are held accountable to the
public and that ethical and professional standards are upheld.
7. CHALLENGES FOR MASS MEDIA IN ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE
In Bangladesh, mass media face a number of challenges which often move them away from their
ideal role that is required to ensure good governance. We have tried to identify some of the major
problems:
7.1 LEGAL BARRIERS
The article 39(1) of the constitution has guaranteed “freedom of speech and consciousness” and
at the same time the guarantee has been subjected to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law
in the interest of the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order,
decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
It should be mentioned here that the British Penal Code of 1860 and Criminal Procedure of 1898
are still in force without any basic amendment or modification. Though the Right to
17
“The Right to Information Act, 2005 - A Guide for Media” published by
Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad - 500033, Andhra Pradesh
Information(RTI) Act 2009 came into effect with the gazette notification published by the
government on 6 April 2009. But, this information overrides inconsistent provisions in other
laws, such as the Official Secrets Act of 1923, Evidence Act of 1872, the Rules of Business of
1996, and the Government Servants(Conduct) Rules of 1979.
An example about the contempt of court can be given here, on September 16, 2000 daily Manab
Zamin published a front-page story on certain reported documents under the title “Ek Rajokio
Kelenkarir Khoshra(Notes of a Royal Scandal)”. It was widely believed that the conversation
took place between a judge and Ershad(former President). It was recorded in a tape. The tape
was sent to then President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed. After about two months, Attorny
General Mahmudul Islam brought it to the notice of Chief Justice. The Chief Justice reffered the
matter to a High Court Bench and the Court issued a contempt of court rule against Manab
Zamin. The attorney General also moved against Sangbad, Ittefaq, Janakantha and Jugantar for
publishing comments of a former judge of the High Court, whose comments were based on
alleged judicial corruption. Although the court issued rule against the dailies, it didn’t issue any
notice against him. 18
7.2 GOVERNMENT CONTROL
The ownership of mass media and content of publication are not subject to direct government
restrictions. But, experts say that government control over the mass media still remains through
heavy taxation and distribution of government advertisements and subsidy. Mahmudul Hauque
finds these both as detrimental for the neutrality of mass media. Because, in both cases mass
media try to remain in favor of the government and in such circumstances mass media fail to
develop their standard. During the last BNP government, the daily Inquilab topped the list of
government advertisements. Among the English dailies, the Independent received the highest
amount of government advertisements.19
18
Billah, Masum, “Government and Media Governance in Bangladesh”, 2010.
19
Ibid.
7.3 CONCENTRATED OWNERSHIP
In Bangladesh it has been evident that the license of TV channels and newspapers are given
selectively during different political regimes. Dr. Shafiul Islam said that the owners of mass
media are very powerful and it becomes quiet impossible for the journalists to act neutrally. We
have seen that during the last BNP regime Ekushey TV went off the air in August 2002 after
losing an appeal against a High Court decision that its license to broadcast was illegal. 20 But the
fact was that the channel got license during the Awami League regime and was believed to have
connections with that party. Thus, mass media has become a tool to express the views of their
owners not to empower the mass people.
7.4 CORRUPTION
Corruption has been, since the last decade a severe problem in Bangladesh. Mass media sector is
not out of it. The capitalist owners and stake holders of this sector are political leaders, business
magnates including export-import companies. Moreover, one person holds the ownership of
more than one TV channel or newspaper. So, this concentrated ownership makes the media
sector involved in corruption as the owners have been and are alleged of corruption. (You can
add another type of corruption. That is, sometimes corrupted journalists publish false news and
blackmail the particular person and as they have full control over their published news, they can
change it anyway and make a false representation for any of their concerned interest and no
matter govt. sue case next, but the false news is disseminated to the public already)
7.5 MARKET ORIENTED JOURNALISM
Mass media has, nowadays become market oriented, that preserve the capitalist-profit-business
interest of their respective business group.21 Mass media in Bangladesh are now business
companies that need profit, says Dr. Shafiul Islam. It has been seen on 3 September, 2009 that,
the NTV news of 10.30 pm had 20 minutes of advertisements within its 47 minutes of news. The
channels have sold different parts of their news to different sponsors. Some examples are:
Citycell news headline, Eastern Bank advertisement break, Green Delta Insurance Trade news,
20
The State of Governance in Bangladesh: 2006, Civil Society and the Media: Who will Watch the Watchdogs?,
Centre for Governance Studies, BRAC University.
21
হক, ফাহমিদু্ ল, অসম্মমি উৎপাদনঃ গণিাধ্যি-মিষয়ক প্রমিভািনা, সংহমি প্রকাশন, ফফব্রুয়ারী ২০১১,পঃ ১৪।
National Bank Economics news, Anondo Alo Cultural news etc. In the prominent dailies
Prothom Alo and Daily Star, news come with wrappings of advertisements.22 This marked
oriented journalism would never be able to give the people voice and participatory right, if they
haven’t changed their motive from profit making.
7.6 VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS
Violence against journalists is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. The Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ), in its report of 2004 had identified Bangladesh as one of the most unsafe
country for journalists. CPJ shows that since 1992, 12 journalists are killed, 11 are murdered and
8 are murdered with impunity.23 Due to fear of life Journalist cannot work efficiently (not
efficiently, it should be effectively) and have to compromise with their professional ethic.
7.7 DIGITAL DIVIDE
The Digital Divide is widening every day in developing countries like Bangladesh. Unequal
access to technology, economic barriers, literacy barriers, language barriers (in the case of the
aborigines’), lack of social environment etc. are main reasons behind this divide. Moreover the
gap between rich and poor is rising (increasing) day by day. So, information become segregated
and people all over the country lack pertinent information. In fact, many are totally unconscious
about what they really want from mass media.
7.8 LACK OF STANDARDS
In Bangladesh, the journalists simply assert an event or matter instead of being bothered about
the scene behind that. Mass media do not talk about the poor and deprived people, say the
experts. Moreover, yellow journalism has always been a trouble. Dr. Shafiul Islam says, mass
media in Bangladesh work just as steno typing and do not speak about social inequality in any
effective way. He leaves a question that do the mass media in Bangladesh think about a just
society? They are just entertaining the people but a few programs are to enlighten them, he
concludes. He adds, as the number of channels is increasing, people are getting more and more
entertainment. Moreover, we have seen that many newspapers engage in publishing sensational
22
23
Ibid.
http://www.cpj.org/asia/bangladesh/
news just to increase circulation. Mahmudul Haque says, there are no written rules or principles
in most of the media houses so the journalists don’t even know what he or she should or
shouldn’t do. But again some journalists are very much aware about their news. May be it is
because they actually want to provide good information or they just want to uphold their carrier.
7.9 LACK OF MASS MEDIA EDUCATION
Illiteracy has been always a big challenge for Bangladesh. People here, lack mass media
education, that’s why sometimes, mass media loss credibility and acceptance. People switch the
urgent programs to entertaining program, as the control of changing program is in their hand.
Moreover, many of the mass people don’t realize the gravity of the power that mass media give
them through providing information, with which they can participate in the process of
governance of the country. Mahmudul Haque says, mass media often state that people don’t want
to watch the program that media want to show, on the other hand, mass people state that the
media don’t provide them program that they want to watch. Therefore, lack of mass media
education also contributes as a challenge for (strong) mass media in Bangladesh.
8. EXPECTED MEASURES
Though there are lots of challenges, mass media have definitely widened the space for public
debate on various issues. Some measures can be taken to make mass media more effective for
ensuring good governance.
FIRSTLY, mass media should overcome the barrier of getting information. They should publish or
broadcast the issues on which they are incapable of getting information due to legal barriers, but,
they consider those issues as important for the people to know. Thus, they can create public
pressure on the government so that government cannot hide any important matter in the name of
official secrecy or state security.24
SECONDLY, we should think for some alternative to overcome the challenge of concentrated
ownership. Dr. Shafiul Islam thinks that public broadcasting is a good alternative; the media may
24
িহাু্ম্মদ
জাহাঙ্গীর, মিমিয়া সপ্নু্ , অননযা প্রকাশনী, ফফব্রুয়ারী ২০০৬, পঃ ৪০-৪১।
be owned by the government but controlled by the people. It may be more like community media
where the consumers are producers; the relationship is both-way. The political parties should
also understand and maintain the difference between government and party.
THIRDLY, it is very difficult to wipe out corruption. But, mass media themselves can do this. One
media house can bring the news of corruption of other houses. Experts say that although this may
be called yellow journalism and may seem as individual rivalry, but there may be a little truth.
By bringing the news into public account a space for debate will be risen and public will demand
the truth.
FOURTHLY, excessive market orientation can be resolved by adopting effective policy of
broadcasting and publishing of advertisements. Mass media themselves can do this or the
government should make such kind of policy and legal actions should be taken against those who
do not follow the policy.25
FIFTHLY, government should ensure safety of the journalists by enacting strict laws and
implementing them effectively. Moreover, journalists themselves can take nonviolent action.
They can abstain from publishing any news of the parties by which they have been tortured.26
SIXTHLY, people may have access to mass media by cooperative activity. Those who cannot
afford a television set alone can buy it joining with others and thus have the access to TV
channels. Again, newspapers should be available at public places, such as bus stops, railway
stations, and school, college and university campuses and of course in libraries.
SEVENTHLY, journalists should move to more investigative and embedded journalism. They
should not only report about policies made but also investigate the about the implementation or
non-implementation of the policies. In many cases too much subjectivity cannot bring any good
result. So, mass media should be objective to ensure good governance.
25
26
Ibid, p. 16-17.
Ibid, p. 30.
FINALLY, media houses should survey about the public choice and their reaction about media
contents. They should give participatory scope to the people and speak for the most deprived and
disadvantaged. The process should be bottom to top rather than top to bottom.
9. CONCLUSION
Mass media is essential for democracy and good governance. The role mass media plays in
Bangladesh is not sufficient (and not correct) for the purpose. But, it doesn’t mean that mass
media in this country are useless. In fact, mass media have (has been), in spite of their faults and
lacking, working as peoples parliament and widened the scope of public debate and discussion.
But, this sector needs a massive restructuring and reorganizing (recognition) in order to ensure
good governance in Bangladesh.
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