University courses suggested

Agriculture being the mainstay of Bangladesh's economy needs to be well covered in the mainstream media and journalists having academic background on agriculture journalism can better cater that needs, said experts.

Stakeholders participating in a workshop on "Agriculture Journalism Curriculum Development" at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday also noted that mass media industry would benefit from the new entrants, who would join the industry with a better understanding of agricultural report writing.

Society for Media & Suitable Human-Communication Techniques (SoMaSHTe) with support from Katalyst, a market development project, organised the workshop to share views on the draft of agro-journalism course and curriculum developed by Prof Bill Allen of University of Missouri, USA.

The Department of Television and Film Studies of Dhaka University came forward in introducing the course on agriculture journalism. While moderating the workshop, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Daffodil International University Prof Dr M Golam Rahman also expressed willingness to introduce such course in his university.

Dr Rahman regretted that though journalism education started at the public university in the country in 1962, inclusion of such important courses like agriculture journalism in its curricula has been taken so many years.

Presenting the draft on agro-journalism course, Prof Bill Allen referred to the series of reports on food adulteration run by The Daily Star as an example of "guide dog" role played by media.

Channel-i Director (News) Shykh Siraj, a pioneer in practicing agriculture journalism in Bangladesh, emphasised balancing theories and classroom education with practical learning and field experiences while developing curriculum on agro-journalism.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Information Service Dr Jahangir Alam, Associate Editor of the daily Samakal, Ajoy Dasgupta, Channel 71 Director (News) Syed Ishtiaq Reza, Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dr Md Sekender Ali, Chairman of the Department of Television and Film Studies of Dhaka University, Dr Abu Jafar Md Shafiul Alam, the Department of Livestock Service official, Dr MA Sabur, Katalyst consultants, Nafia Hussain, Nawshaba Rashid, AS Ansari, SoMaSHTe Directors Mir Masrur Zaman and Mir Shahidul Alam took part in the discussion.

A good number of students from the Department of Television and Film Studies at Dhaka University participated in the workshop and expressed eagerness to see agro-journalism course introduced in their department.