Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is starting a two-week long campaign titled `Media for Women’ (M4W) for inclusive and equal portrayal of women in the media with support from Free Press Unlimited.
The campaign has started from 8 March and will continue till 22 March, 2020 for inclusive and equal portrayal of women by the media highlighting their situation and status in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution. The campaign strives to establish a more inclusive and equal portrayal of women in the media.
In this regard, BNNRC mobilized a total of 45 print and electronic media houses, along with other like-minded media development organizations, educational institutions and community radios for taking part in the campaign.
The aim of the campaign is to challenge women’s position portrayed in a stereotypical way in the media through evaluating women’s performance, position and presentation changing the attitude of male colleagues organizing dialogues.
Though the International Media agencies are working on creating equalities of women journalists but still It is a big challenge. According to the study of “Global Gender Gap Index”, this discrimination could be abolished by 108 years if the present trend of progress continues. To reduce the gender gap in media, incentive on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) need to be offered immediately to the women journalists of present and next generation. It is notable that there is no alternative way but sensitive information and reports on women journalists should be published and broadcasted to minimize the gap.
Media, information and entertainment industry is facing challenges in the era of 4th industrial revolution and created many challenges for women for their inclusion and equal portrayal of women in the media. Journalists especially women journalists should exercise for their reskilling, upskilling and de-skilling to face the challenges of 4th Industrial revolution.
As part of the campaign print and electronic media including national and regional media like newspaper, radio, television, online news portals will undertake special discussion sessions. Equality of men and women is a human right, so, for ensuring human rights like other sectors media and media houses should broadcast and telecast programs in line with the theme.
Media houses and media workers both have the responsibilities for promoting equal rights and universal dignity for men and women. We call upon the owner, editors and concerned decision-makers of media on the following issues.
All media outlets are encourage to follow the
UNESCO Media Development Indicator (MDI) and
UNESCO Gender sensitive Indicator for Media (GSIM);
Journalists especially women journalists should undertake initiative for re-skilling, up- skilling and de-skilling for facing the challenges of 4th Industrial revolution;
Introduce a new business development model for the media, taking steps as per the recommendations of different researches,
Inclusion of women journalists in press clubs, journalist union, reporters unity and ensure equal rights and playing an important role for presentation and reporting.
A website was launched on the occasion. www.media4women.bnnrc.net
Contact: Tamanna Rahman| tamanna@bnnrc.net | 01532138122