Columnists can build public opinion
Columnists, as opinion formers, can play a crucial role in building public opinion on issues women face in society, women's rights activists and media personalities said at a discussion organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad yesterday.
“Though books have more permanence but columns enjoy a larger readership through newspapers which are circulated all over the country every day,” said eminent former banker and columnist Ibrahim Khaled.
“One well-written piece on women's issues in a widely circulated paper per month can bring a huge change,” media personality Muhammad Jahangir told the discussion, “Columnists can change the Society”, on the rights organisation's Segunbagicha premises in the capital.
Editorial boards can make it a policy for their regular columnists, he said, suggesting publishing post-editorial materials on debatable issues concerning women by taking opinions of different experts.
Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said, with more women joining the workforce than ever before, issues centring their work and transportation environments and sexual harassment should be focused.
“Women's movements have always worked against traditional cultures,” said Ayesha Khanom, the parishad's president, requesting columnists to write against traditional values which shackle women and deter progressive thoughts.
Dil Monowara Monu, the parishad's publicity secretary, read out the discussion's concept note highlighting the role of journalists and newspapers in bringing societal changes.
Sima Moslem, the parishad's joint secretary, also spoke along with editorial board members of renowned English and Bangla dailies.
Aasha Mehreen Amin, deputy editor, Editorial & Op-ed, The Daily Star, suggested that women's rights organisations could alert columnists on recent women's issues and provide research materials so that the writings are strong and fact-based.
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