The Challenges and Opportunities of Online Journalism in Bangladesh

What is Online Journalism?

Online journalism is the dissemination of news and information through digital media. Online journalism may be viewed as a sort of mass media since the internet has opened up new avenues for individuals to obtain information that was previously only available through broadcast or print media. Although online journalism takes many different forms, it may be broadly divided into three categories: blogs, citizen journalism, and web-based news sites (also known as online news sites). Thanks to social media websites like Twitter and YouTube, which let users submit movies and images and share tales with their friends, the latter has been expanding in recent years.

People may now create their own websites to share news and opinions with a global audience thanks to the internet. The nature of journalism as well as established news organizations have been altered in recent decades by technology advancements in the media. Online journalism has been created as a result of technological advancements as a substitute for traditional information access. The expansion of printing presses throughout Europe in the 17th century brought about the first significant alteration. The development of the printing press enabled the mass creation of news. The development of radio in the early 20th century brought about the second significant alteration. News could be disseminated widely thanks to the introduction of radio.

What are the Challenges of Online Journalism in Bangladesh?

Online journalism is a relatively new idea in Bangladesh. The first online newspaper was established in 1997, yet the internet has only been accessible in the nation since 1995. Online journalism had not become widely used as a method of news reporting until the early 2000s, when several newspapers and other media organizations started their own websites. When they post material online, journalists must overcome a number of difficulties. The lack of confidentiality or source protection for journalists is the first significant issue. 

This can be a concern since a journalist who publishes an article about the misbehavior of elected officials or other influential people may face legal repercussions if they do not identify their sources to the authorities. Investigative journalists find it challenging to carry out their work without worrying about reprisal from the subjects they are covering as a result. A second issue is that because it is challenging to confirm the veracity of statements made on social media platforms and the internet in general, online information is typically not regarded as legitimate. There are no written bylines or other indicators identifying who has written an article because there is no actual, printed version.

Finding out who published an item and who should be held accountable becomes incredibly difficult as a result. A third issue is that few people are prepared to come out and identify themselves as an article's author because the internet is an anonymous medium with no byline and poor reputation. Because of this, it is challenging for the journalist to support and defend their reporting in court or through legal action.

What are the Opportunities of Online Journalism in Bangladesh?

Online journalism is one of the most common methods for obtaining news and information. Online journalism is a type of media that disseminates news about current events and other international happenings. Online journalism has been around for a while and is employed in several nations. There are many different kinds of internet journalists in Bangladesh who report on current events and offer insight and analysis. Usually unpaid volunteers, these journalists are motivated to offer this service to their public. Online journalists in Bangladesh have several difficulties while trying to give their readers reliable information.

These difficulties include high internet connection fees, low literacy rates, a lack of technological training, and a lack of funding for professional development. Although it is still in its infancy in Bangladesh, online journalism is rising in popularity. Today's worldwide society has altered how news and information are gathered and disseminated. People may now submit news and offer opinion or analysis on current events on the internet, keeping them updated about what is going on in the world. 

Many journalists in Bangladeshi-speaking nations have taken the initiative to use these platforms to share information on current events that may not be covered by more conventional and traditional sources.

Conclusion

Digital journalism cannot be avoided. The abilities required for journalism in the digital age will soon be available to journalists in Bangladesh. However, merely obtaining such talents might not be sufficient. Many competent young journalists are getting fired or leaving their positions. Some of my former students who turned out to be excellent journalists—in fact, investigative journalists—resigned in the last couple of years. Recently, we noticed widespread firings across various television networks. Restoring the public's faith in journalism as a distinguished profession is crucial.