The world today is living in an age of information and the present technology, in an essence, has changed the media industry, said John Snow, a UK-based journalist best known as the longest-running presenter of Channel 4 news.
He made the observation while addressing a discussion titled “Entering the Golden Age of Journalism” organised at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) auditorium in the capital’s Dhanmondi yesterday.
During his speech, Snow talked about various instances from his journalistic career and emphasised on the perks of the profession, stating various examples of how some of his work actually helped in changing things for the better.
He said: “If your information is dependable, you will have the ability to change things in life. That is what you deal with when you study journalism.”
The discussion was attended by students, faculty members and Board of Trustees of ULAB. Kazi Anis Ahmed, vice-president of the university’s Board of Trustees delivered the welcome speech at the discussion.
ULAB Vice-Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman, Pro VC Professor HM Jahirul Haque and Head of Media Studies and Journalism department Dr Jude William Genilo were also present at the programme, among others.
While talking to students, Snow said he enjoyed his first visit to Bangladesh thoroughly. “Before coming here, my mindset on Bangladesh was a bit one dimensional. It was in some way defined by poverty. But when I visited a slum, I realised that there is a sense of vibrancy throughout. Although the slum was very poor it had an amazing sense of determination,” he said.
“I had no idea how beautiful and green the country was. I have got to come back,” he added.
John Snow has been a presenter for Channel 4 News since 1989. He has covered numerous stories across the world, including the Bhopal gas tragedy, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Reykjavik Summit, the fall of Idi Amin in Uganda, and the war in Gaza. His first book Shooting History (Harper Collins) is an autobiographical journey through the last thirty years culminating in the 2003 Iraq war, which he also covered.
