'Promote objective journalism for better Indo-Bangla ties'
Organised by South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) at a city hotel, the dialogue, first of its kind, also decided to continue dialogue of the editors and reporters of the two countries to interact with each other to dispel all the mistrusts and suspicions for healthy cooperation on common interests.
The dialogue also adopted a proposal of forming 'India-Bangladesh Editors' Forum' with interested editors of the two countries that will meet annually and discuss issues of common interests to deepen mutual understanding. Such regular discussion will help dispel the atmosphere of distrust that now exists.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Safma could also set up a common resource centre so that media could use information from the centre to avoid all types of misunderstandings.
The recommendations came following widespread discussions on the misunderstanding that exists between the two countries on security, illegal migration, smuggling and trade deficits.
Talking on media's role in resolving bilateral irritants Ambassador Faruque Sobhan said taking formal and informal trade amounting to US$6 billion or more a year and the fact that two lakh Bangladeshi students are studying in India while about 1 lakh Indians are working in Bangladesh with or without permission, all this amounts to a big source of the country's foreign exchange earning, but that is not recognised by India.
Blaming media's role, Faruque Sobhan, also former foreign secretary, said media of both the countries talk of huge problems, but not of their solutions. Indian media never investigated the claim of insurgent camps in Bangladesh, and branded the country as a likely failed state.
In different summits India made many commitments to Bangladesh, but has not fulfilled those, he pointed out.
There are so many Indian television channels in Bangladesh, but how many Bangladeshi channels are there for the Indians to view, he asked.
Despite existence of number of obstacles, Bangladesh made tremendous progress in its export and growth, so why should India not recognise it and change its attitudes towards Bangladesh, he questioned.
Emphasising easing visa regime of both the countries he suggested appointing more journalists in each other's country for more positive and authentic news and meeting of senior journalists on regular basis for more interactions to dispel all misunderstandings about each other.
Speaking on media's role in confidence building measures Ambassador Abul Ahsan said unfortunately Indian media has a tendency to portray Bangladesh as a threat to India, and this perception is dominating the latter's overall attitude towards Bangladesh.
"We have to recognise that the issue of insurgency is nothing new. India has to take initiatives to resolve the problem," he pointed out.
Easing visa regime and circulation of positive news of Bangladesh in India will build confidence among the people for the interests of both the countries, he said.
In his presentation The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said people of both the countries have very little knowledge about each other's diversity, complex economy and volatile politics. There is also little knowledge about the changes that have occurred in these two countries, he said.
India is now far more driven by economic interest than before, he said, adding that the country has taken a new pragmatic approach towards its relationship with its rivals Pakistan and China.
Dramatic changes have occurred in Indo-Pak and Sino-India relations. Large Indian investment is taking place in China, which was unimaginable a few years ago, he said.
"So if India can change its attitude towards Pakistan and China, why can't she change her views about us?" he asked.
"We need to improve our communication with Indian opinion makers, and exchange among editors would be a very useful step," he said.
Bangladeshis have been disappointed by Indian attitude towards market access and water issues. So many agreements have been made, but not much has happened on the ground, Mahfuz Anam noted.
Eminent Indian journalist and columnist Kuldip Nayar said Bangladesh has anti-India feelings mainly because of economic reasons. On the Indian side anti-Bangladesh feelings persist due to absence of deeper understanding of issues here.
He however said it is the bureaucrats and the politicians who really play the game behind the scene, where journalists have very little influence.
Another Indian journalist Nehal Singh said present picture of Indian journalism is not so good. It is too urban centred and mainly focuses on the rich and powerful.
Safma Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, The Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, The New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, The New Nation Editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder, among others, spoke at the dialogue chaired by Safma President Reazuddin Ahmed.