The role of the media in the 11th parliament election
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
The coming parliament election should be made free by all means. If there are reports of election engineering through any corner, it will defame our image. Father of the nation Bangabandh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a man who had the absolute sense of patriotism towards his country and profound love towards his countrymen. He was a man like the Mountain Himalaya and very sacrificing. He had no greed of his own, only the people’s identity was his own identity. If election activities are tempered, it will be a humiliation to democracy and sovereignty of the country. If there is such type of activity again, Bangladesh will be made hostage as we had been before. Thus, there should not be any cheat or foul for which all progress will come to a halt.
The media are responsible for providing information, education and entertainment. In today’s world, the media have become very essential because they play outstanding roles in the society. Aside the traditional three key roles of the media, they have a greater responsibility for ensuring free and fair elections in any country. The following are ways in which the media can contribute to free and fair elections:
Firstly, the media act as watchdogs to protect public interest. Media play a watchdog role over all powerful institutions in society and ensure that their decisions and actions are in the interest of the larger society. The media are said to be the fourth estate of the realm or the fourth arm of government because the media help to put politicians and all powerful institutions in check. The media have to broadcast credible information without being biased and subjective. The media have to be bold to report accurately on anything that can derail the democratic process. Additionally, the television and radio stations and online media have to make aware to provide live results so the electorate are duly informed about the outcome of elections they have taken a part in. The media plays an indispensable role in the proper functioning of a democracy, yet the media also have other roles in enabling full public participation in elections.
Media people must take necessary steps to educating voters on how to exercise their democratic rights. They also play role by reporting on the development of an election campaign and by providing a platform for the political parties and candidates to communicate their message to the electorate. Moreover, the can participate by providing a platform for the public to communicate their concerns, opinions and needs to the parties/candidates, the government to others voters and to internet on these issues and by allowing the parties and candidates to debate with each other, also by reporting results and monitoring vote counting, the credibility will come to light. Clean elections can be ensured by scrutinizing the electoral process itself, including electoral management, in order to evaluate the fairness of the process, its efficiency and its probity. And finally, by providing information that, as far as possible, avoids inflammatory language, helping to prevent election-related violence.
The numerous ways in which media ensure democratic electoral process generally fall into one of the following categories: such as, Media as transparency/watchdog, media as campaign platform, media as open forum for debate and discussion/public voice, media as public education.
In Bangladesh, 11th Parliament election is knocking at the door. Voting is the fundamental right of the citizens and though voting power is being shifted. But with this shift or change, corruption should in no way be taken place. In the name of development, govternment agency or any individual by exploitation can by no means bluff people. Those who have become rich by illegal earnings from time to time, they should be boycotted. The political parties and people must be very careful about dishonest fellows. In the coming parliament election the honest competent and real patriots must be nominated from different parties. Without one the other can’t flourish. So both development and election must be corrupt free.
The writers is a former Deputy Director General and Commandant, Ansar VDP Academy