A channel with promises

The entire crew of news-casters with Shykh Seraj.

Private TV channels are quite new in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, however, it has acquired a mixed feeling of admiration and criticism among its viewers. What is very hopeful about these TV channels is that they are trying to set different trends and standards regarding programmes and news.

The Daily Star: You were very popular for your show Mati O Manush, but now that you are heading the Channel-i, why don't we see any such item on its menu?

Shykh Seraj: There isn't any full-length programme like Mati O Manush on Channel-i's schedule, but there are quite a few fillers and promotionals, which relate to agriculture. There is also one daily item, Janopoder Khabor, which picks stories from the life of our rural population.

TDS: But this programme is rather news-orientated.

SS: Yes, through the programme we are trying to create a new trend in news making. Just political news, crime reports, international affairs alone do not express the true characteristics of our country where more than 80 percent of the population are villagers and depend on agriculture. I believe news on agriculture should also get similar priority in the media.

TDS: Is there any reflection of that in Channel-i news?

SS: Channel-i placed the news on the crop havoc caused by severe cold last winter among the top stories.

TDS: What's your policy in news making?

SS: Channel-i conforms to the national interest and the ethical values of journalism. We are aware of the impact of what is shown on the TV, especially upon the young minds. For example, we don't show gruesome pictures of dead bodies, or the victims of rape case and likes.

TDS: Recently Channel-i broadcast news on the Iraq-war with live spot reporting. How could you make it happen?

SS: An Ajker Kagoj journalist, Anis Alamgir, was in Baghdad during the crucial situation, and we contacted him. We rented an APTN satellite-link through which we finally did the coverage of the war in Iraq.

TDS: There is one major allegation against the private TV channels, that they often air substandard Bangla films containing obscene sequences. Your comment.

SS: I won't deny the allegation. But people also have to consider one thing. There has to be certain programmes for a class of people, not just in the villages but also for the city dwellers, who find entertainment in these films. But we make sure that the films are censored before broadcast. Bangla films do attract a lot of commercials.

TDS: Why doesn't Channel-i have enough programmes for children?

SS: I don't agree we do not have programmes for children. We started some children's programmes, like Boltey Pari Na. But we had to stop the programme due to lack of sponsorship. It's a major problem in this regard. A number of programmes and animations for the children are still in our hand and we are waiting for sponsorship.

TDS: What is the situation in sponsorship like?

SS: You can't imagine. Almost 60% of the ads go straight to BTV. The rest, which is a very small share, is distributed among the private channels.

TDS: Why do you think is the situation like this? Isn't that because your reach is limited?

SS: Yes it is partly true. But our programmes can be viewed anywhere in Bangladesh provided there is cable connection.

TDS: Do you have any plan to overcome this problem?

SS: Well, when we started we provided the cable operators with more than two hundred satellite receivers. But this cannot be the solution. We are now interested in making good programmes only. For the spreading of their network, the cable operators have to take initiatives also.

TDS: You have given preference to the younger generation especially in the news casting and anchoring of programmes. What kind of feedback are you getting now?

SS: The result is excellent, as anyone would agree. In the beginning, however, it wasn't very easy, many couldn't take the young people seriously in their roles. But gradually people seemed to be quite fascinated by the new trend.

TDS: Channel-i schedules are full with repetitions. Your comment.

SS: Yes, there's great scarcity of standard production. But we are very eager to lessen the repetition.

TDS: Do you have any good news for the viewers of Channel-i?

SS: Channel-i is planning to introduce some more news bulletins and entertaining programmes. A new programme called 'Breakfast news' will be aired very soon.