The four-day conference on future of journalism ended on Sunday with a call for more quality and responsible journalism by adopting new information technologies, business models and gaining people’s trust.
The event styled ‘Dhaka Media Summit 2022’ was co-hosted by the Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh and the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Bangladesh.
MSJ Department head Prof Jude William Genilo, Jamuna TV special correspondent MohsinUl Hakim, eminent photographer Dr Shahidul Alam, Mae Ann Chua, Lynda Catndig-Garcia, Therese San Diego Torres, Janess Ann J Ellao, among others, attended the closing ceremony, according to a statement.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Alam said journalism is always a challenging profession. Journalists face tyranny from various stakeholders.
Mr Hakim said although news media organisations and journalists going through an anarchic situation, the future of the profession is bright for the motivated, skilled and talented youth.
On the last day, 30 scientific papers were presented and a roundtable discussion was held.
Presenting a paper on factors affecting trust in news media, MSJ lecturer Aminul Islam said the level of trust of young people in the local news media is very low.
Biasness toward owners’ business interest and political parties, lack of accuracy in news, sensationalising news and information, and the use of clickbait headlines are some key factors, he argued.
In another paper, Dr Abdul Kabil Khan, an assistant professor, said data-driven storytelling can be a tool for bringing back trust in news media.
Presenting his research paper, assistant professor Dr Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal emphasised investment in audience analysis and engagement to be sustainable in the rapidly changing media environment.
Addressing a roundtable, Filipino journalist Ellao spoke about the very reasons of the existence of journalism in challenging times because journalists are the tellers of truth.
The online summit featured 10 associate partners, 58 research paper presentations by researchers and academics from 17 countries, five roundtables, three master classes and one book promotion.