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Experts at Trafficking Forum in Bangladesh Call on Media for Positive Reporting

Speakers at a discussion called on the media people to publish investigative and follow-up reports on human trafficking to raise awareness in the society in order to combat the menace. They also urged the media to play an advocacy role in reintegrating the victims of trafficking into the mainstream through positive reporting.

Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS), Action against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children (ATSEC) and Bangladesh Journalists Forum against Human Trafficking (BJFAHT) in association with International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Academy for Educational Development and the USAID organised the discussion on 'Prevention of Trafficking' at the Reporters' Unity auditorium in the city on Wednesday.

Salma Ali, chair of ATESC, said that domestic violence is one of the main reasons behind children and women trafficking.

Farida Yeasmin, president of BJFAHT, in her keynote speech pointed out that inappropriate media reporting sometimes adds to the plights of the victims of trafficking. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, secretary to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, attended the programme as chief guest.

Nishat A Chowdhury, adviser to the IMO, and Afroza Parvin, executive director of NUS, also spoke. The organisers announced that they would introduce media award for journalists for trafficking-related reports next year.

Adapted from: "Experts at a 'Prevent Trafficking' forum call on media for more positive reporting." The Daily Star. 20 October 2006.