Anatomy of the rapid growth of online newspapers and its impact on online journalism in Bangladesh

What is it about?

Through the lens of the critical political economy of communication and media, this chapter aims to understand the rapid growth of online newspapers in Bangladesh. It also attempts to explore how the nature of owners and their intentions impact professionalism and freedom in online journalism.

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Why is it important?

This study finds that although people from different sectors own online newspapers in Bangladesh, they are following the character of the capitalist media system and practicing unprofessional journalism to secure and increase their owners’ power, and material and immaterial benefits. This study provides empirical evidence of critical theorists’ argument on the capitalist media systems in the case of a developing country that is transitioning toward digitalization. The results challenge the popular perception that the internet offers an opportunity to run pro-people newspapers and argue that easy access to information could hinder the development of a society if its citizens are not media literate.