Breaking the Bias: Symposium Explores Western Media's Impact on Human Rights in Bangladesh

On September 27, 2024, Nieuwspoort in The Hague hosted a thoughtprovoking symposium titled “Breaking the Bias: Western Media & Human Rights in Bangladesh.” This event aimed to shed light on the complex relationship between media representation and human rights issues in
Bangladesh, with a particular focus on the historical context of the 1971 genocide. 

The symposium, which ran from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, brought together 73 participants, including students, professionals, community members, and media workers passionate about human rights and seeking to understand the media’s impact on victims of human rights violations in Bangladesh. For those unable to attend in person, the event was livestreamed by GHRTV, ensuring wider access to these important
discussions.

Key highlights of the event included:

1. A keynote speech introducing the teams involved in a recent report on the topic
2.  A presentation of the report by the Involve team
3. A panel discussion featuring distinguished speakers:
   – Dr. Anthonie Holslag, academic lecturer and researcher in genocide studies
   – Tanbira Hossain, author, activist, and financial sector professional
   – Lidija Zelovic, filmmaker and researcher on war news
   – Shawintala Banwarie, journalist at De Kanttekening and Volzin Magazine

The panel explored various aspects of the issue, including:

•  The scientific consensus on the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh
• The impact of historical events on current media portrayal and
  diplomatic strategies
• The role of diaspora in shaping public interpretation of events in
  Bangladesh
• The concept of media bias and its effects on policy decisions and public perception

This symposium proved to be an enlightening event for both in-person attendees and online viewers, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between media representation, historical events, and ongoing human rights challenges in Bangladesh. The livestream by GHRTV ensured that these valuable insights reached a broader audience, potentially amplifying the impact of the discussions.

Youtube movie: