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Bangladesh ranks 163^rd in the world in the Press Freedom Index and journalists face difficult working conditions, with poor pay and little job security. ÁùºÏ¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Media Action has been working through Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development (PRIMED) to support local media associations in their efforts at change. In this series of three articles, we examine recent findings on working conditions, and hear directly from local journalists about the pressures on local media, and how to address gender representation in media.

The COVID-19 pandemic ended Selim (not his real name)’s 12-year career in television.  

But Selim received no compensation or medical insurance from his former employer. And he was not alone: countless TV reporters in Bangladesh faced the same fate, due to the lack of a separate labour law for broadcast journalists in Bangladesh. Others who retained their jobs received irregular payments; most outlets did not follow national wage board structures.

Data from a recent survey conducted by the Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) shows the ‘fourth pillar’ of our state is at risk: their labour rights are not being protected, at  outlet and national level.

Free press and media are crucial components of democracy. While celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom, including freedom of expression, as a driver for all other human rights, it is critical to also consider the neglect of basic employment standards for broadcast journalists in Bangladesh – and the subsequent impact on the media environment in the country.

According to data from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, in Bangladesh, there are 44 approved televisions, 22 FM radios, 32 community radios, 1,187 daily newspapers, and more than 100 online news portals. The survey done by BJC covers only 23 TV channels – but sheds much light on working conditions and benefits provided.

Irregular pay, no benefits

The Broadcast Journalism Safety Report 2023 reveals some staggering figures. Among the stations they surveyed, only 8% pay regular salaries within the 10th day of every month, and 92% failed to pay salaries to journalists regularly. Only 2% of the channels had health and life insurance benefits for their employees;  only 3% had created retirement funds. An estimated 12% of the channels had provisions for maternity leave and just 1% for paternity leave. And threats of lay-off loom large: 93% of the channels were reported to have fired employees without any prior notice, while 98% of the channels did not offer any compensation to dismissed employees. The report indicates that the Bangladesh Labour Act of 2006 is insufficient in protecting broadcast journalists’ rights.

The media industry in Bangladesh has evolved so much. But gender equality also remains a concern, both at media outlets, and in their content. A recent study done by MRDI shows female journalists face active and passive discrimination at work. Only 10% of total employees in organisations surveyed are women, and very few are in decision-making roles. Most outlets also do not have any written editorial guidelines to ensure fair and ethical treatment of women.

ÁùºÏ¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Media Action aims to support all media outlets and their media professionals to practice stronger public interest journalism, so they can produce trusted content that keeps the audience at its heart. Our Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development (PRIMED) project is working to support the development of a healthier information ‘ecosystem’, addressing challenges for media outlets and in the broader information environment. This includes a series of workshops on gender representation in content and safeguarding and respect in the workplace, as well as addressing regulatory challenges. Through PRIMED ÁùºÏ¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Media Action also supported its media partners to develop written editorial guidelines.

A new law 

Recently, an initiative has been taken by the Government of Bangladesh to introduce a new law covering television journalists, the Mass Media Employees Bill. The Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) and other media associations are now advocating for changes to create a more inclusive and effective bill that truly protects their rights.

ÁùºÏ¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Media Action and International Media Support (IMS) have been providing technical support to BJC to identify gaps and develop concrete recommendations, while empowering local and sector partners to drive forward positive change for media reform and protecting journalists’ working conditions.

The sector is encouraged by a response to this report from the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, who acknowledged the needs and expressed his interest in a multi-party consultation among the owners of broadcasting channels, journalists, and representatives from the standing committee, with an eye to revising the law. 

Critical need for trust

Right now, there is a critical need to retain and restore public trust in mainstream media in Bangladesh. BJC is developing a Code of Ethics for the industry with the technical support of ÁùºÏ¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Media Action and IMS, aimed at improved editorial practices for all TV networks.

The combination of increased safety and security at work for journalists, and an entrenched and shared understanding of ethics, can truly boost public interest journalism.

This is the first blog in a series of three from Bangladesh. Read the second here, and third one here.

Read more about PRIMED here.