Navigating Challenges Behind the Story: Investigative Journalism in Khulna’s Print Media Landscape
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Investigative journalism is crucial in promoting transparency, accountability, and democratic governance. However, this study reveals that investigative journalists working in print media in Khulna City, the third-largest urban center in Bangladesh, face significant institutional, political, and economic barriers that hinder their ability to conduct impactful reporting. Through qualitative data collected via 18 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion involving a total of 24 journalists from local and national newspapers, the study identifies key challenges including lack of logistical and financial support, legal harassment under the Digital Security Act (2018), editorial gatekeeping, political pressure, and limited access to information through the Right to Information Act. The findings highlight how regional journalists are systematically marginalized, receiving fewer resources and less recognition than their Dhaka-based counterparts. The political economy of media and agenda-setting theory provides practical frameworks for understanding how ownership structures, editorial biases, and commercial interests shape the visibility and viability of investigative reports. This study contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the underexplored regional dynamics of investigative journalism in South Asia. It also offers practical recommendations for strengthening the profession through policy reform, institutional support, and professional development initiatives.
Article Details
References
Almania, A. (2017). Challenges confronting investigative journalism in Saudi Arabia. Paper presented at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC17). https://ijec.org/2018/01/29/research-challenges-confronting-investigative-journalism-in-saudi-arabia/
Anyadike, D. O. (2013). Problems and prospects of investigative journalism in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Study of The Tide and Hard Truth newspapers. New Media and Mass Communication, 3(17), 59–64.
Bisilki, I., & Opoku, R. O. (2019). Investigative journalism in Ghana: Challenges and ethical contentions. Journal of Social Science Studies, 6 (1), 68–81. https://doi.org/10.5296/jss.v6i1.14606
Carson, A. (2013). Investigative journalism, the public sphere, and Australian democracy: The watchdog role of newspapers in the digital age [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Melbourne, Australia.
Carson, A. (2014, July 9). Possibilities and challenges of print investigative journalism in the digital age. Paper presented at the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Annual Conference, Swinburne University, Victoria, Australia.
Davie, W. R., & Maher, T. M. (2006). Maxwell McCombs: Agenda-setting explorer. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 50(2), 358–364. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15506878jobem5002_13
GIJN. (2019). Global investigative journalism network. https://www.gijn.org
Ibne Zaman, M. M., Rashid, M., & Kabir, M. R. (2022). Journalists' job satisfaction in the Khulna district of Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies. 19(1), 141-154. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2022.19.01.2120-s
IFJ. (2022). Breaking the silence on gender and safety. International Federation of Journalists. https://www.ifj.org
IREX. (2020). PAR: A security awareness framework. https://www.irex.org
Ismail, A., Ahmad, M. K., & Mustaffa, C. S. (2017). Investigative journalism in Malaysia: The battle between outside and inside newsroom challenges. SHS Web of Conferences, 33, 00022. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20173300022
Islam Sani, M. R., Hossain, S. M., Rashid, M., & Tarannum, N. (2024). Role of media on youth political participation: A study on Khulna City Corporation of Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 21(2), 234-254. https://doi.org/10.53808/Kus.2024.21.02.1138-Ss
International Center for Journalists. (2009). Investigative journalism and democracy: An international perspective. https://www.icfj.org/our-work/our-research
Jurrat, N., Lublinski, J., Mong, A., Akademie, D. W., & Welle, D. (2017). Raking muck and raising funds: Capacity development strategies for the future of investigative journalism in the Global South. Paper presented at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC17), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kenton, W. (2019). Political economy. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/political-economy.asp
Khan, A. K., Mehjabin, S. S., & Rashid, M. (2022). Practices of and challenges for citizen journalism in the mainstream media of Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 19(2), 256-269. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2022.19.02.2213-ss
Longhurst, R. (2009). Interviews: In-depth, semi-structured. International encyclopedia of human geography (pp. 580-584). Elsevier Science.
McChesney, R. W. (2008). Communication: Blindspot of Western Marxism. The Political Economy of Media (pp. 23-50). Monthly Review Press.
McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176-187. https://doi.org/10.1086/267990
Nogara, A. (2009). Investigative journalism and democracy: An international perspective. International Center for Journalists.
Rahman, M. (1993). History of Bangla Press. University Press Limited.
Rahman, M. (2006). Right to information in South Asian countries. The Daily Star (A supplement on International Right to Information Day). Bangladesh.
Rahman, M. (2012). Priority of the media: Profit, politics, or the public? Forum: Monthly Publication of The Daily Star, 6(4), 1-7.
Rahman, M. (2014). Investigative journalism in Bangladesh: Its growth and role in social responsibility. DIU Journal of Humanities & Social Science, 2(1), 1-11. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11948/1186
Rashid, M., & Rahman, M. (2020). Digital Security Act and investigative journalism in Bangladesh: A critical analysis. CenRaPS Journal of Social Sciences, 2(2), 216–236.
Regmi, U. K. (2019). Challenges of investigative journalism in Nepal: The case of Kantipur Daily, Nagarik Daily, and Nayapatrika Daily [Unpublished master's thesis]. NLA University College, Nepal.
Rashid, M., Sheikh, S., & Khatun, M. (2024). Exploring career choice of communication, media, and journalism department students in Bangladesh: A public university perspective. Khulna University Studies, 21(2), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.53808/Kus.2024.21.02.962-Ss
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2007). Research methods for business students (4th ed.). Pearson Education.
Smythe, D. (1994). Communications: Blindspot of Western Marxism. In T. Guback (Ed.), Counterclockwise (pp. 266–291). Westview Press.
Weis, L. (1986). Print media and modern society. Longman.
