Content Analysis on Environmental Issues in Bangladesh Newspapers

Course: Development Communication

Subject: Content Analysis on Environmental      Issues in Bangladesh Newspapers

Submitted to: Mrs. Farzana Karim madam Assistant Professor University of Chittagong Department of Communication and Journalism (CJ)

Submitted by: Siddiqe Ahmed Azad-Mamun

Content of the topic

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Methodology 
• Hypothesis
• Findings
• Conclusion
• Reference

Abstract

Bangladesh news media report environmental changes both from global and regional perspectives. Generally, news media report on the consequences of natural disasters which affected different parts of the Bengal Delta, particularly the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Recent investigations and reports in newspapers have been influenced by the global debates on climate change, ecological and environmental issues. It is however, a matter of further examinations whether reports in Bangladesh print media are representations of global political and scientific inquiry of issues, such as global warming or the catastrophes which are specific to the region.

A large number of newspaper reporting are characterized by the tendency of linking the local and regional environmental issues, such as cyclone SIDR or AILA with those of global issues and as a consequences of climate change. There are stories, which are not substantiated by any scientific authority or arguments, while the rest capitalize on the popular public discourses that local or regional natural disasters are somehow linked with global climate change, for which the developed countries are to be blamed. At the same time, there are examples of attempts by several mainstream newspapers to conduct advocacy campaign for saving environment from unethical and illegal activities of benefit seekers and power elites.

Overall, this paper investigates the role of Bangladesh news media in representing global ecological and environmental changes. Specifically, it first looks into news media’s role in setting environmental agendas. It then moves to analyze the issues responsible for shaping the agendas of reporting on climate change in general and local environmental issues in particular. Finally, the paper identifies key actors in the government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), International nongovernmental organizations, bi-lateral organizations, development partners and civil societies and experts who in different capacities will influence the future media coverage as well as public discourses of environmental journalism in Bangladesh.

Keyword:  Development Communication, Environmental Reporting, Advocacy Journalism, 

Introduction

Environmental story are important issues of Bangladesh newspapers. Mainly consequences of catastrophes and post disaster activities are always on top of agenda in Bangladesh newspapers. In the case of climate change, news media have been key contributors in representing and disseminating major debates and concerns of regional and global importance. Press in Bangladesh has shaped perceptions of various issues of environment, which has affected public knowledge of the issues and policy decisions of the government. One of the most crucial roles played by the newspapers is agenda setting, which has been done either through adopting advocacy approaches or taking up international issues of environmental or climate change.

A number of leading national English and Bengali dailies ran campaigns to save some major rivers from made actions and have been successful to impact government policy decisions to take actions. It has been an issue of investigation whether the press is successful enough in setting agenda on other major environmental issues, which are shaped by the multiple stakeholders, including government, NGOs and international institutions.

Environmental agendas in Bangladesh media are now informed and shaped within the discourses of development journalism rather than the old school of development support communication. It is however, a matter of further examinations whether news reports in Bangladesh newspapers are representations of global political and scientific agendas, such as global warming or the speculations, scientific inquiries and development debates which are specific to the country. Generally, newspaper reporting are characterized by the tendency of linking the local and regional environmental issues, such as cyclone SIDR or AILA with those of global issues and as a consequences of climate change. There are stories, which are not substantiated by any scientific authority or arguments, while the rest capitalize on the popular public discourses that local or regional natural disasters are somehow liked with global climate change, for which the developed countries are to be blamed. Since the global discussions about Copenhagen Summit unfolded Bangladesh press seemed more interested in the discussions on climate change compensation funds rather than the issues raised by the environmental skeptics for example.

Methodology

This study used content analysis, which is defined as “a research technics for the objective systematic and quantitative description of the manifest content of communication.” (Brelson, 1952, P-18)

Content analysis was used as the basic research method of the study, which was again
substantiated by a number of development reports on the environmental issues in Bangladesh. My applied content analysis to analyze the newspaper items how key actors influenced the media coverage of development story. Four national dailies – Dainik Prothom Alo (Bangla), Dainik Samakal (Bangla), Dainik Nayadiganta (Bangla) and The Daily Star (English) were taken for the analysis. Selection of these four newspapers was based primarily on their circulation. In terms of influence on the government policy and civic engagement as well as coverage of development issues, these four dailies are considered top newspapers in the country. But our selection based on government supporter and anti-government ideology. Here Dainik Samakal is supporter of government policy and Dainik Nayadiganta is an anti-government newspaper in the country and other hand Dainik Protham Alo and The Daily Star is a neutral newspaper in the country.

Contents of the issues (for all the dailies) from 25 May 2015 to 25 June 23, 2015 were analyzed. As the environmental issues is our selected content in this methodology. Most of the Bangladesh newspaper, including Dainik Prothom Alo, Dainik Samakal, Dainik Nayadiganta and The Daily Star published highest number of news items, features, independent articles and editorials around Environmental Agenda.

News media is the principle source for people to derive information about the environmental issues and also to receive interpretations on scientific aspects. Studies suggest that the public learns about science through consuming mass media news (Wilson, 1995). In Bangladesh where access to the internet is still low among the majority of the population, most people rely on news media, i.e. newspapers and television for the local and global discussions, national and regional policy decisions and scientific and popular arguments of global climate change and local environmental changes and their impact on the livelihoods.

News media in the developing world is at the forefront of disseminating the news of the impact of climate and environmental change on the local economy. Bangladesh newspapers gave extensive coverage of the Copenhagen Summit, news relating to local ecological and environmental changes.

The unit of analysis in this study was a news story. Story placement (Front page or other page), length of the story (newsless of word used) types of story (development of government and influential or non- development appearance government and influential political figures, were more other major variables.

In these papers, development story is realized as the significant communicate the importance of the environmental and climate change with the different segments of publics and key stakeholders. Dainik Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are played major role in development issues in this country. And Dainik Samokal keep promote the government and Dainik Nayadiganta criticize and negative side the governmental role in development issues on environment.

Such as, “Water Still Jet Black” (Daily Star, June 4, 2015; p:16 ) same days Dainik Nayadiganta published an environmental story there 2^nd lead news in 1^st page “Feni Pani Nicche Bharat_ Chukti Bastobayon Hole Dhangso Hobe Muhuri Sech prokalpa” on other hand Dainik Samakal published “Ural sorok noy, beshi proyojon jolaboddota niroson.” Dainik Protham Alo makes a story “Durgom Pothe Bancher Shiri” (June 11, 2015; Amar Chittagong 1^st page).

Hypothesis

To promote Environment report, Bangladeshi’s newspapers are more behind than development countries. Environmental development journalism are hardly seen in our country. Only a few newspapers promote this kind of journalism. We have not seen many reports after Cyclone as like as Ayla and Sidr. After 12 years, yet they can’t overcome from their lose. But we have seen only one or two report about this. Yet they can’t overcome from this lose. On this area, which development story should have applied, it doesn’t done. On the other hand, we had not seen any serious repart about Komen. When we compare with others, the Prothom Alo and The Daily Star sometimes publish news about environ development. They have separate environmental department and the Prothom Alo does report about environment, which are admirable. Especially reports of Tigers of the Mangrob Forest is international standard. Like that, to do this kind of report,our journalist are not promoted or don’t get facility.

Findings:

Date	Dainik Protom Alo		Daily Star		Dainik Samakal		Dainik Nyadiganta
	Number	Column''	Number	Column''	Number	Column''	Number	Column''
26-30 May	2	37	3	80	3	70	4	105
01-05 June	2	43	2	58	3	87	2	55
06-10 June	7	252*	2	146*	1	30	3	70
11-15 June	4	280*	3	92	3	70	1	32
16-20 June	1	160	2	48	2	45	3	65
21-25 June	3	67	3	60	3	75	3	60
Total	19	839	15	484	15	377	16	387

Fig: Table of Data analysis of Environmental Development News in Bangladesh

* In 9 and 16 June Dainik Prothom Alo special focus full page story on LP Gas and

* In 6 June Daily Star there full page Focus on ‘Living on the Edge’ in 10^th page.

Comment:

My concept of before research which are reduce now. Bangladeshi’s newspapers are given importance to environment development report. Mainly,the Prothom Alo and the Daily star are gradually publish environment development report. Daily star publish story or picture about every day, which are increase awareness and very important for environment protect. Apart, by the period of research. On two days the prothom alo publish an environment news in whole page, which are very important for our environment journalism. Other newspapers are increasing to environment journalism for that importance.

Conclusion

The Bangladeshi Newspapers keep significant role of environmental and climate change. They are applying agendas brought in forefront by the news media in general and newspapers in particular. Newspapers provided special attention to global climate change issues, impacts and debates, which were particularly relevant to Bangladesh. It is clearly evident that they set specific agendas on combating changes, conferences and seminars, impact of changes, issues of compensation and local and regional environmental issues. The Four Bengali and English dailies attempted to link the regional environmental issues with the global climate change. In addition, news reports and commentaries helped readers identify key stakeholders who in various capacities and at different stages influence the setting process. It was implied that print media in Bangladesh is powerful enough to interpret environmental issues and influence policies, which among other issues set national agenda to raise voices and lobby for international climate change funds for Bangladesh. This proactive nature of Bangladesh newspapers on environmental issues is indicative of the shifting role of news media from developmentalist approach to advocacy-oriented advocacy journalism.

Reference

1. Dainik Prothom Alo May 26 to June 25.
2. Daily Star May 26 to June 25.
3. Dainik Samakal May 26 to June 25.
4. Dainik Naya Diganta May 26 to June 25.
5. Development Communication and News Coverge, Dr, Golam Rahman 1997.