Call for objective coverage of events to remove mutual suspicion

Speakers at the seminar titled, "Indo-Bangladesh Dialogue on Media and Culture," jointly organised by the India International Centre (IIC) and the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) of Bangladesh, observed that ignorance coupled with prejudiced reporting of events were only contributing to increased mutual suspicion that needs to be removed.

They also called for making the visa regimes of both the countries more friendly for journalists and cultural personalities and performers to facilitate greater understanding between the two neighbouring countries.

Inaugurating the seminar, Indian Minister for Culture Joypal Reddy said cultural and media cooperation was needed between the two countries to do away with much of the misgivings.

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, said if Bangladesh perception of India was marked by "ignorance and suspicion," Indian perception of Bangladesh was marked by "ignorance and arrogance."

He said in the Indian media, one looking for news of neighbouring countries can find only Pakistan and China.

Bangladesh media, he said, is not inward looking unlike the Indian media.

Anam called for an unbiased coverage of what happens in Bangladesh.

He also called for taking a South Asian approach to things for an improvement of the climate and at the same time suggested the media in both the countries to take an independent view of things in the two countries instead of following the governments' line.

Hannan Mollah MP(CPI-M), Prof Rehman Sobhan, Columnist George Verghese, News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Prof Anisuzzaman, Amar Desh Executive Editor Shaukat Mahmood, singer Rizwana Chowdhury Banya, Ananya Editor Tasmima Hosain, Dr Lubna Mariam, Amit Barua of the Hindu, and Amit Chakraborty, editor of the Mainstream, also spoke.

Hannan Mollah said in the next session of the Indian parliament an initiative will be taken to form an India-Bangladesh parliamentary forum.

Celebrated Columnist BG Verghese said what is more than adverse reports on Bangladesh is that Bangladesh is not reported by the Indian media. He said the vacuum is filled by misinformation and disinformation.

Verghese said propaganda and news management needs to be corrected, journalists should have free access to news sources and newspapers from Bangladesh should be available in India to allow the market to decide on their demand.

Prof Rehman Sobhan said India is suffering from profound ignorance about Bangladesh due to under-reporting.

Reazuddin Ahmed said suspicion remains the biggest non-tariff barrier on the way of fostering better understanding.

He suggested the media to take up the issues that stand on the way of better relations.

Amit Barua said the Indian media is essentially focussed on the US and Pakistan.