5. Role of Mass Media in Disaster Management in Bangladesh: A
Critical Analysis
Sabina Yeasmin, Assistant Professor, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur
and Khan Ferdousour Rahman, Independent Researcher
The geophysical position, high density of population and rapid climate
change has made Bangladesh vulnerable to different types of disasters. By
disseminating knowledge and information about the coping strategy during
and in aftermath of disasters, mass media can also make people pro-active. It
should also play the role in developing public opinion with regard to disaster
management. The mass media, especially, the print media in Bangladesh
need to play an effective role as the main actor in building disaster
communication. So, the integration of mass media with disaster
management is a must, but effective interaction among these two elements
is yet to be observed so far. This research put emphasis to critically analyze
the existing role of mass media for raising awareness among the large
number of people to protect and save themselves from the risks of all types
of hazards and disasters. This is basically a qualitative study with a touch of
quantitative techniques, where the data will be collected mainly from the
secondary sources. The study aims to recommend a ‘model role for the
journalists’ of print media with regards to disaster management.
Child Protection
1. Street Children and their Situation: Opinion from Children,
Parents and Community
Nafisa Rahman Khan, Program Monitoring Coordinator, Plan Bangladesh
Street children are perhaps the most vulnerable section of the society,
who suffer from human deprivations of all forms. According to a survey, the
numbers of street children in Bangladesh is around 380,000 of whom 55%
live in Dhaka city alone. The study aims to explore the situation of street
children, their relationships with their families and their perceptions on
street children interventions. In order to carry out the study, qualitative data
collection methods have been executed with street children, their parents,
employers and PNGO staff. The study revealed that poverty is not the only
reason for children to be in the street. Family violence, remarriage of parents
and trafficking are major reasons as well. The children who ended up on the
streets to support their family income maintain good relationship with their
families but those who came on the streets as a result of family violence and
exploitation rarely maintain contact with family. On the streets, children are
faced with threats from passengers, police, mastans, and also from their
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