Bangladesh military should upgrade its media wing, says bdnews24.com chief editor Khalidi

Bangladesh military should upgrade its media and mass communications wing to match the expansion and larger scope of work, suggests bdnews24.com’s Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi.

“An officer of the rank of major general or equivalent should be the spokesperson for the armed forces,” he said, “replacing the current ISPR”.

“Once the army was run by one or two major generals, but now you have more than 50 two star officers,” he pointed out to hammer home the idea.

bdnews24.com’s Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi speaks at a panel discussion on the “Role of Media in Disaster Management: Earthquake Perspective” at the Army Multipurpose Complex on Monday on the second day of training.

The editor-in-chief of Bangladesh’s first internet newspaper made the remarks during a panel discussion following the first-ever computer-assisted exercise of post-earthquake management in Bangladesh.

Khalidi spoke on the “disaster response and media, a force multiplier” -- part of a discussion titled “Role of Media in Disaster Management: Earthquake Perspective”.

The discussion was organised by the 14th Independent Engineering Brigade and the Army War Games Centre at the Army Multipurpose Complex in the Dhaka Cantonment on Monday.

“The army has grown in size, has many more divisions than it had say 40 years ago, goes beyond its boundary in performing various duties such as leading the disaster response,” the senior journalist said.

In other countries, military spokespersons are senior officers and “armed with adequate authority” to speak on behalf of the army or the armed forces.

Khalidi took questions from officers who asked about the “gap” between the media and the armed forces. The panel discussants also raised issues like the absence of specialised journalists to cover defence matters.

Guests attend a panel discussion on the “Role of Media in Disaster Management: Earthquake Perspective” at the Army Multipurpose Complex on Monday on the second day of training.

“It is true none of the major media outlets have dedicated defence correspondents as we have for diplomacy, public health, politics, parliament and many other issues.”

It is a two-way street and “both sides have to step up” their efforts in closing the gap, he added.

Khalidi also urged government agencies to maintain a strong presence in the social media.

It allows a direct and fast form of communication that provides for better interactivity with the public, he said.

Such official channels can also be effective in fighting rumours and rogue elements trying to disrupt work, according to him.

“The army, as the best organised and best equipped institution in Bangladesh, has rightly been given the leadership role in disaster response.”

bdnews24.com’s Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi speaks at a panel discussion on the “Role of Media in Disaster Management: Earthquake Perspective” at the Army Multipurpose Complex on Monday on the second day of training.

He suggested that the army “open a Facebook page or a Twitter account and get these accounts verified so that rumour mongers can be kept at bay, and interact with the various stakeholders, get critical information in times of crises”.

Disaster managers must also understand the quickly evolving role of the media, its reach and mode of operation, and should continue to keep channels of communication open, Khalidi added.

The panel discussion session was moderated by Brigadier General Monirul Islam Akhand and attended by the Bangladesh University of Professionals Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Emdad-Ul-Bari, BGMEA Vice-President Mohd Nasir and former secretary Mikhail Shiper.

University of Professionals Vice Chancellor Major General Md Emdad-Ul-Bari speaks at a panel discussion on the “Role of Media in Disaster Management: Earthquake Perspective” at the Army Multipurpose Complex on Monday.

Bari spoke of his interest in introducing courses on defence issues in media studies.

The post-earthquake management training session was attended by the representatives of the Navy, Air Force, Border Guards Bangladesh, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Village Defence Party, Police, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Scouts, Titas, welfare organisation Anjuman Mufidul Islam, Red Crescent, Rajuk, DESCO, DESA, WASA, Dhaka North City Corporation, BRTC and Public Works Department.