Afsan Chowdhury has been a media
person for over 25 years. operating in print, radio and TV. He has
worked for the BBC, CNN, Himal South Asian, Dhaka Courier, Sunday
Star, Bangladesh Today, Daily Star, Tara Bangla TV and Ekushey TV
amongst other. He was the Director South Asia of the Panos Institute
and Member, Media South Asia project. A development expert with special
focus on child related issues, he has spent over 20 years in this
sector.
He began his professional career as a member
of the Liberation War History Project in 1978. Afsan chowdhury has
also produced a vdo on war and women in 1971 titled 'Tahader Juddho
(Their War) and two novels, Biswasghatokgon (Thakar shobdo (Sounds
of Staying Alive). A collection of short stories in being published
in 2003.
This book analyzes contemporary
media from an insider's professional view. It explores a series
of issues including why the elite class invests in media,
why there is growing crisis in this sector and how socio-economic
power and denials decides which way media will move. it examines
how low wages in an increasingly market influenced sector
is leading to loss of professionalism and growth of corruption.
The impact of global political crisis including the clash
between The West and the 'Orient' is also probed: Some issues
dealt with are:
- The logic of loss: Cost recovery of media investment through
extra-investment gains
- Role of elite class media ownership in all low developing
country
- State, market and censorship: The transition scenario of
control
- Contradictions between development journalism and public
interest. Is it resolvable?
- Lack of professionalism in media? The Wage Board Crisis
- Impact of international politics on local media
- Reporting conflicts and communalism. Style, substance and
objectivity
