Unrealised potential, forgotten priorities: Improving reporting on sexual and reproductive health in the Bangladesh media

This reports on a small study was undertaken in 2009 of the print media of government and privately funded radio and TV

Abstract

To assess the current situation of sexual and reproductive health reporting in the Bangladesh media, a small study was undertaken in 2009 of the print media in English and Bangla and of government and privately funded radio and TV. The assessment comprised:

  • a media scan and analysis, which included interviews with key people in the media, research and human rights' sectors
  • a stakeholder forum held to discuss the findings of the media scan and develop recommendations.

This brief highlights the key findings of the study and outlines the recommendations made for interested parties, including policymakers, editors, research directors, civil society organisations and donors. Main findings include the following:

  • according to the participants of the stakeholder forum, audiences in Bangladesh are ready to engage with a wider range of sexual and reproductive health issues
  • there are significant areas where the Bangladesh media is still deficient in its coverage of sexual and reproductive health issues, particularly in terms of engaging with research and evidence
  • according to forum participants, a number of obstacles to media reporting of sexual and reproductive health issues remain
  • researchers and research organisations must do more to make their findings sufficiently accessible and usable.

A series of recommendations were identified for each of the key stakeholders to improve on the current situation.

Citation

PANOS. Panos Policy Briefing: Bangladesh. Unrealised potential, forgotten priorities: Improving reporting on sexual and reproductive health in the Bangladesh media. Panos London, London, UK (2010) 8 pp. [Also available in Bangla]

Published 1 January 2010