‘Not a party, journalism is the only protection for a political reporter’

“While working on political beats, many journalists gradually fall under the influence of a particular political party. Some begin to think like the BNP while covering BNP news, while others move towards that position while covering the Awami League. The only way out of this trend is to practise professional journalism,” said Shahed Mohammad Ali, editor of the Daily Samakal. 

Shahed made the comment on the second day of the Bangladesh Journalism Conference at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the capital on Saturday.

In a discussion organised on the relationship between media, politics and state structure, he said the biggest crisis in political reporting is that many journalists become mentally involved with the relevant party while covering beats without their knowledge. However, a reporter should be identified only as a journalist.

“I have come to cover the Awami League, I have come to cover the BNP or I have come to cover Jamaat – it is not okay to think that. I have come to do journalism, this is my only protection,” he said.

He added that it is not enough to blame only journalists; there is a need for self-criticism within the media as well. Sometimes, journalists who have a soft corner for a particular political party are given responsibility for the political beat. Political parties also tend to work with journalists of their choice. As a result, unannounced barriers are created in terms of information, communication and access.

Daily Samakal editor said that the political beat does not only mean party press conferences or collection of statements. A political reporter must have a deep understanding of the constitution, laws of the state, the constitution of the parties and the structure of the governance system because journalism mainly deals with issues of irregularities, abuse and accountability.

He also said that there is a need to create a separate learning environment or ecosystem within the media to enhance the skills of journalists. “A political reporter does not only have to know the news of a party – he also has to know how the state runs, how parliament is run, how the law works,” he said.

Shahed Mohammad Ali also sees the issue of highlighting opposition voices as a big challenge in the current political reality. Political reality, past roles of parties and the political position of the government all make it difficult to present the opposition voice properly at times. This also raises new questions about the impartiality of the media.

According to Shahed Mohammad Ali, it is time to think about political journalism in a new way. Not only beat-based responsibilities, but also creating a complete journalist with knowledge, skills, analytical ability and moral stance is now the big challenge for the media.