Decision-makers and senior journalists of several national media houses on Thursday said that the professional security, protection, and freedom of women journalists is yet to be ensured due to the existing hostile work environment and massive discrimination at the workplace.
Media policymakers made the observations at a consultation on safety and security of women journalists, organized by Article 19, an International organization working on the freedom of expression.
To illustrate the safety and security of women journalists in various media houses, Article 19 interviewed 46 women journalists for months. The researchers spoke to policymakers there on the working environment, facilities, obstacles etc. A brief report related to their findings was also presented at the program.
In his speech, Regional Director South Asia of Article 19, Faruq Faisel at the knowledge dissemination program said: “Article 19 initially conducted surveys on security and safety of women journalists in six media houses. We will go to more in the future to get a better picture.”
Supporting the ongoing #Metoo movement, Faruq further said: "There's a hope that because of this movement, sexual harassment of women at the workplace will lessen."
Faruq Faisel facilitated the meeting with Tasima Hossain, editor of Ittefaq, Sohrab Hossain, joint-editor of Prothom Alo, Azizul Parvez, chief reporter of Kaler Kantha, Abdur Rahim Harmachi, chief reporter of bdnews24.com, Sheikh Jahidur Rahman, chief reporter of Ekushey Television, Esha Aurora, senior sub-editor of Dhaka Tribune, Parvin Sultana Zhuma, general secretary of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, and AHM Bazlur Rahman, chief executive officer of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), who were present giving their recommendations.
Ittefaq Editor Tasima Hossain said: "There are many laws to protect the interests of journalists. But because of a lack of follow-up, the laws are not implemented.”
"In many cases, male colleagues are also unaware of gender sensitivity with their counterparts," she added.
Expressing their concern, the media policymakers said that besides eliminating existing discrimination at the workplace, institutionalization and industrialization of the media is essential for the journalism industry to safeguard women journalists and improve their professional skills.
Along with the state, media organizations, journalists' associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have an important role to play in this regard, they added.