Research proposal
Newspaper reportage on agricultural issues in Bangladesh
Introduction
The press has contributed to the growth and development of society in terms of political, economic, culture, education, agriculture and social systems etc. Media has become an essential part of our life. Moreover, the media played most significant role towards promoting the political, social and economic aspirations of the nation (Uche, 1988). In the contest of sustainable development the press or mass media remains a vital instrument in the realizations of the nation’s goals. It is believed that the media motivate the people as well as ensure participation in the growth and development process apart from informing and educating members of the society (Adebayo, 1985).
As part of the surveillance role in respect of information and news, the media being instrument to development is expected to inform and educate members of the society on specific areas of development such as agricultural activities. The reason for media reportage on agricultural programs and policies in developing societies, such as Bangladesh was due to the large number of people who were involved. Specially, agriculture has provided employment platform for majority particularly living in the rural areas. Agriculture by estimation, account for over 70% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) prior to the discovery of garments industries. By 2010, the percentage has reduced to 32%.
In addition, agriculture has considered as the backbone of rural, social and economic development. Rural development is a directed function of agricultural development, without which the later becomes a mirage. However, beyond information and transmission role of the media, the newspaper provides to a large extent background details relevant to the news, explanations of related events, analysis of their importance and implications. The newspaper possesses the capacity to do this better than most other media (Dennis and Defleur, 1994). Importantly, in a true agricultural society, the role of the media is largely significant.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the coverage of agriculture available through main stream newspaper in Bangladesh.
The following objectives are formulated to accomplish the purpose of the study:
1. To identify all the reportage about the agriculture on the popular newspaper of Bangladesh for the selected year.
2. To know about the volume of coverage given to the agricultural activities programs and also agricultural sub-sector by the Bangladeshi newspaper.
3. To compare findings from agricultural publications to that of non-agricultural publications.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Literacy:
“A literate person is one who is able to read and write or is well-educated; having or showing extensive knowledge, learning or culture” (Neufeldt & Guralnik, 1988, p. 789).
The value of literacy is important because, “people make sense of literacy as a social phenomenon…literacy lies at the root of their attitudes…and their actions” (Barton, 1990, p.7). Generally the term literacy describes the ability to read and write. Miller (1989) describes basic literacy as the capacity to read packages, traffic signs and bus schedules. Bornmouth (1975) defines literacy as “...the ability to respond competently to real-world reading tasks”(p. 65). Occupational literacy can be defined, as the ability to read required work-related materials (Rush, Moe & Stolie, 1986). These definitions describe the basic concepts of literacy, but through the years the term has taken on greater meanings. Literacy has been expanded to fields outside of just reading and writing: computer Literacy, cultural literacy, bilingual literacy and agricultural literacy (Ahmadi & Helms, 1994).
Agricultural Literacy:
Researchers have found that the dissemination of agricultural information has taken place since the earliest of times. According to Parmley, May and Hutchinson (1996):
Agricultural literacy is not a new concept. The development of fundamental understanding of food production had been a feature of informal and formal education efforts until the early years of the twentieth century. A review of informal and formal education practices from earlier times should provide some significant concepts as we continue the agricultural literacy agenda (p. 21).
A study done by Terry (1994) sought to determine the awareness and perceptions about agricultural of television reporters in Texas. He found that most television reporters have had little personal or professional contracts with agriculture and do not have the background characteristics or educational and organizational experiences normally associated with agricultural literate persons. He also found that while most television reporters like reporting news about agriculture and feel qualified to do so, few have the technical knowledge and appropriate understanding about agriculture to accurately inform the public about the industry.
News analysis:
A method was developed by S. I. Hayakawa (1940) to analyze sentences in news articles. Hayakawa assigned each sentence to one of the categories: a) report sentences, b) inference sentences, and c) judgment sentences. Report sentences are factual and verifiable. Inference sentences are statements about the unknown based on known. Judgment sentences are statements of the writer’s approval or disapproval.
Sitton (2000) conducted a study evaluating the news published during the year of 1998 about swine concentrated feeding operations by the two largest OKLAHOMA newspaper, as well as profile the people that wrote the news. Sitton found the majority of the sentences were report sentences and the majority of the judgment sentences were negative towards agriculture. When reporters were profiled, Sitton found the vast majority to be males, as well as possessing no agricultural background.
Hess (1997) performed a study to evaluate the coverage of agriculture through the Associated Press (AP) wire service. Hess found there was adequate coverage of agricultural topics, however many reporters were using personal opinions when writing instead of factual statements. The study also concluded there was more negative bias than positive bias toward agriculture.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Newspaper reportage: News stories, special reports, features, editorial, articles etc.
Prothom Alo: Prothom Alo was founded on November 04, 1998. As at January 2009, it had an average an circulation of 435,000. It has distinguished itself its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women, pushing for tougher laws against the scale of acid. Matior Rahman is the publisher and Editor of Prothom Alo. Transcom Group is the owner. Official website: www.protom-alo.com
Daily Ittefaq: The Daily Ittefaq is a daily newspaper which is one of the most published and circulated newspaper. This newspaper printed in Bangla by Ittefaq Group of Publications Limited. This newspaper played a very crucial role in the downfall of East Pakistan Military during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The Ittefaq was first published as a weekly paper on the 24 December 1953 by Maulana Abdul Hamid khan Bhasani. Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia was the founder. Publisher- Mohibul Ahsan Shawon, Editor- Anwar Hossain Manju, official website: www.ittefaq.com.bd
Daily Star: The Daily Star is the largest circulating English daily newspaper in Bangladesh. Established by Syed Mohammed Ali (popularly known as SM Ali) in 14 January 1991, the newspaper is owned by MediaStar a venture of the Transcom Group, headed by Latifur Rahman. The newspaper is led by Mahfuz Anam, editor of the Daily Star, who is also the publisher of the newspaper.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the volume of coverage given to the agricultural activities programs by the Bangladesh newspaper?
2. What is the volume of reportage given to each sub-sector of agriculture by the Bangladesh newspaper?
3. What is the volume of coverage given to the other areas of activities by the Bangladeshi newspaper?
4. What is the degree of prominence given to the issues reported about agriculture?
5. What is slant (direction) of the news on the agricultural activities by the newspapers of Bangladesh?
6. Is reportage differing on the basis of seasons?
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Considering the scope of the study, this research will focuses its strength on the contents of 3 newspaper with national coverage published between January – December (2010). Today, Bangladesh in this democratic country has over 80 daily newspapers and several weekly newspapers, and that makes its impracticable to study all the newspapers. Therefore, the study will put its searchlight on the issues published by the 3 newspapers from the month of January to December 2010.
METHODS
The study design in the research work for data collection, I will follow content analysis method. Importantly, communication research content analysis is regarded a formal system which is systematic and objective for extracting all forms of communication contents. According to Berelson (1952), content analysis is a research technique for the systematic description of manifest content of communication. Similarly, Kerlinger (2000) defines content analysis as a method of studying and analyzing communication in systematic, objective and quantitative manner for the purpose of measuring variables cited in Wimmer and Dominich (2003). Therefore, content analysis will be used in this study as a tool to exact data from the selected newspapers. This will be done by analyzing the frequency and prominence or importance as well as slant/direction of news on agricultural activities as content categories. More so, the unit of measurement and news analysis included features, news stories, editorials, special reports and sources of news etc.
Sample size:
In the context of this study, there is no doubt that it will impracticable to study over hundred newspapers considering the time frame, constraint and cost. Therefore, only 3 newspapers will be selected for the study. They are namely: Daily Prothom-Alo, Daily Star, Daily Ittefaq. 3 issues will be selected per month for each of the newspapers under study. Using simple random sampling all these 108 issues (3issues*12 months*3 newspaper =108issues) will be selected at 1st, 11th, 21st day per month as 3 issues.
Sampling technique:
The 3 newspaper; Daily Prothom Alo, Daily Star, Daily Ittefaq selected as using purposive sampling technique. These newspapers selected based on their national coverage, popularity, leadership rating and extent of specific positions on national issues. More so, a purposive sampling technique will be adopted for the selection of the 3 issues to be studied each week for all the 3 newspapers. This is because of calculating reportage for the seasonal differences.
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT/ANALYSIS
The parameters for this study unit of analysis in collecting data will be included news stories, features, articles, editorials, special reports and news sources etc. In terms of content(s) of the units of analysis; frequency, slant/direction and prominence etc will be tested.
In the case of frequency, it will be determined or tested on the volume of reports on issues about agriculture vis-à-vis other sectors of the economy. On the other hand, slant of the 3 newspaper reports on agriculture will be determined by the stand of the newspaper, that is, favorable and neutral categories. Prominence will be determined by the specific position/placement of each item of agricultural issues essentially on pages of the newspaper. Both front and back pages will be divided into two sub-categories: front page lead & minor as well as back page lead & minor. Consequently, the inside page in terms of prominence will be regarded as least important.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
At the end of the study I will draw conclusions and then I will give some suggestions or recommendations both for the media concern authority and Researchers, so that they may study in this area in future.
RESEARCH BUDGET
Taka 1520 has been estimated as cost for this research project.
Serial no. Area of Cost Quantity of money
1. Books, Journals, Newspaper, Magazine 500 TK
2. Internet use 300 TK
3. Print (proposal, magazine) 120 Tk
4. Transport and Mobile 150 TK
5. Final research compose, proof reading, binding 450 TK
Total =1520 TK
REFERENCES
Ahmadi, M. & Helms, M.M. (1994) Cultural literacy and business career planning: The case of women and minorities. The International Journal of Carrer Management.
Berelson, B. (1952). Content analysis of communication research. New York: The Free Press.
Hagins, S. (2000). Associated press wire service coverage of agricultural issues: A content analysis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Hayakawa, S.I. (1940). Language in thought and action. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co.
Hess, A.S. (1997). Analysis of agricultural literacy information sources: Associated press wire service. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Neufelt, V. & Guralink, D.B., Eds (1988). Webster’s new world dictionary. (3rd edition). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Parmley, J.D., May, K.S., & Hutchinson, A. (19996, March). Agricultural Literacy: An integrated content and partnership approach. The agricultural Education Magazine, 4-5, 20-21.
Terry, R. (1994). Agricultural literacy of information gatekepper. Proceedings of the Southern Agricultural Education Research Meeting, 43, 198-210.
Sitton, S.R. (2000). 1998 Newspaper coverage of Oklahoma swine production issues: A content analysis. Oklahoma State University, Stillater, OK.
Uche, L. (1998). Mass Media, People and Politics in Nigeria: Concept Publications.
Submitted to:
Dr. Abul Monsur Ahmed
Course teacher
Course no. 304
Dept. of Mass Communication & Journalism
University of Dhaka
Submitted by:
Md. Juel Mia
3rd Batch, 5th Semester
Roll No. 69
Dept. of Mass communication & Journalism
University of Dhaka
Date of submission: Jun 27, 2011
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