The Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) Department will hold a Roundtable Discussion entitled “Public Relations in Bangladesh: Past Discourses, Future Trends” on November 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 n.n. at the Seminar Room, Campus B.  The activity takes off with a paper presentation; followed by a roundtable discussion among prominent PR practitioners in the country.  The paper, with the same title as the roundtable, will be delivered by Prof. Jude Genilo and Lecturer Imtiaz Ahmed Chowdhury.  Panelists to the roundtable discussion include:  M. Tajul Islam (Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh), ASM Bazlul Haque (Bangladesh Power Development Board), Mirza Tarequl Qader (Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media), Sarker Maswood Hasan (Concito PR) and Sylvia Roxana (Gemcon Group).

The study’s abstract reads:  “The paper looks at the past discourses and future trends regarding Public Relations (PR) practice in Bangladesh.  It traces the origins of the field from colonial times and follows its development as seen from the discourses of its prominent professionals.  Research findings revealed that in the 1970s, practitioners relied on linear persuasive propaganda models of communicating with the public.  In the 1980s, they clamored for the recognition of their profession; disdained about their exclusion in key decision making activities and their treatment as second class workers in their organizations.  The following decade saw the maturing of the field with public relations being seen as a management function.  In the 2000s, PR practice expanded to non-government organizations and medium-sized businesses as well as consultancy firms becoming viable endeavors. Practitioners likewise showed optimism about the prospects of the field given the opening up of the economy, advancements in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and positive changes in the political dynamics of the country.”

The study is part of the paper presentation series of the MSJ Department.  The first paper entitled ““Media Pluralism and Development in Malaysia: A Third Eye View” was delivered by Assistant Professor Md. Asiuzzaman on October 7, 2009.  This was followed by another paper ““New Media, Knowledge Acquisition and Participatory Governance in Rural Bangladesh” presented on October 26 by Prof. Jude Genilo and Ms. Marium Akther.  The third paper entitled “Narratives on Digital Bangladesh: Shared Meanings, Shared Concerns” co-authored by Prof. Genilo, Associate Prof. Md. Shamsul Islam and Ms. Akther will be discussed on November 18.