Survey reveals shift to mobile phones for news in Bangladesh
A significant portion of the Bangladesh population no longer relies on traditional media outlets for news, with 73% of people not reading newspapers and 94% avoiding radio for news updates, according to a recent survey.
The survey, conducted between 1 and 7 January this year by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), highlights the growing dependence on mobile phones for news consumption.
This survey, the first of its kind in the country, was carried out by the Media Reform Commission, which was formed by the interim government following widespread criticism of media coverage during the July uprising.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Despite the growing trend of mobile news consumption, the survey found that public trust in the media has not entirely eroded. But respondents expressed concern about the political and governmental influence that hampers the delivery of unbiased news.
The findings show that more people prefer online news over printed newspapers, with many turning to television during national crises or disasters. Radio, however, has been identified as the least preferred medium, with 54% of participants indicating that they do not feel the need to listen to radio news.
Interestingly, the survey also revealed that people would like to see the media remain free and unbiased, free from government and political interference.
Despite this, a majority of respondents believe that state-run outlets such as Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar should remain under government control.
In terms of media consumption habits, 46% of the participants indicated that they no longer find the need to read newspapers, while 53% felt the same about watching television. Besides, 35% of respondents blamed the limited availability of radio as a barrier to its use.
The shift towards mobile phones for news consumption is evident, with 88% of participants using mobile phones to stay informed.
A smaller percentage of 7% rely on computers for news updates. Among social media platforms, Facebook emerged as the most trusted source of news for 31% of respondents, followed by YouTube at 16.5%.
In terms of education and information, teachers were viewed as the most reliable sources of knowledge, with 42% of participants placing their trust in educators over traditional media outlets.
