Decision to shut down BBC Bangla radio broadcast saddens us

 
BBC Bangla has been associated with the history of Bangladesh for a long time. BBC Bangla observed its 82nd birth anniversary on 11 October. BBC started broadcasting in Bengali language back in 1941. Since then BBC Bangla has occupied a special spot in the hearts of millions of Bengali-speaking people of Bangladesh and India. BBC Bangla became highly popular with audiences for its exceptional presentation and outstanding style.

BBC Bangla comprehensively transmitted the atrocities by Pakistan Army on the people of East Pakistan during the Liberation War of 1971. BBC Bangla also played patriotic songs during 1971 to keep up the spirit of freedom fighters. Everyone used to listen to the news bulletins of BBC Bangla during the war. BBC Bangla and Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro were the only two sources of inspiration and strength during 1971. BBC Bangla is the only news agency that declared Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the greatest ever Bengali in history.

The BBC Bangla radio broadcast, the most reliable source of news during the years leading up to the Liberation War of 1971 and later, will be discontinued after 81 years. The station's broadcast in other languages, including Arabic, Persian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Hindi, Chinese, Indonesian, Tamil, and Urdu, will also stop by early next year. The decision comes as part of the BBC World Service's plans to accelerate its digital offering and increase impact with audiences around the globe, while adhering to austerity measures.

High inflation, soaring costs, and a cash-flat License Fee settlement have led to tough choices across the BBC, and its international services need to make a saving of £28.5m, as part of the wider £500m of annual savings and reinvestment to make the a BBC digital-led platform.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzaque has said that he was saddened to learn that BBC is going to shut down its Bengali radio broadcast. On the other hand, Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has referred to the decision to discontinue BBC Bengali radio broadcast as an unacceptable one.

The decision will also cause closures of around 382 posts. This, however, comes as a shock to the long-time BBC listeners. While Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro was representative of the Bangladesh movement, BBC provided accurate news and international support during the crucial time of 1971. It signified the global nature and support for the war.

It was after 1971, under an independent flag, that saw the reputation of the BBC grow. The hunger for information was satisfied mostly by the BBC Bangla broadcast, along with other foreign outlets.

All good things do come to an end when the time comes and the wheels of change will bring forth new media forms and content, which will all be welcomed. But the memory of BBC Bangla radio will live on.

BBC has decided to discontinue radio broadcast in 10 languages including Bangla in a bid to save £28.5 million annually. BBC has proposed the closure of about 382 posts at the World Service.

Therefore radio broadcasts in 10 languages involving Arabic, Persian, Chinese and Bengali will come to a halt, BBC said. However, we want to urge BBC authority to retain Bengali transmission to keep us informed about the latest national and global updates like it has done in a trustworthy way for last 81 years.

Shoeb Chowdhury is a diplomat, entrepreneur, author, poet, sports organizer and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Asian Age.