Empowering Voices Through Community Journalism in Southern Bangladesh
In the remote villages of southern Bangladesh, access to the internet and national newspapers is scarce, leaving communities isolated from the world around them. In the village of Shonathala, located in the Patuakhali district, where tin-roofed houses line muddy roads that become impassable during the monsoon, a beacon of hope emerges. Hasan Parvez, 43, has taken it upon himself to amplify the voices of his fellow villagers by creating a community newspaper, which he meticulously writes by hand.
Without the resources to type his articles on a computer and aiming to keep costs minimal, Mr. Parvez handwrites each story for his bi-monthly, four-page publication titled Andharmanik. His mission is to foster a sense of hope and positivity while also shedding light on local challenges, ultimately seeking solutions to improve their lives.
“My community newspaper primarily reaches farmers, sharing stories that resonate with their lives,” Mr. Parvez explains. “For instance, one edition might feature a farmer from a neighboring village who achieved remarkable success with lentil farming. Such narratives serve to inform and inspire others.”
He chose the name Andharmanik after the Andharmanik River, a vital waterway in southern Bangladesh. The name translates to “gem in the dark,” symbolizing the river’s life-giving properties that parallel the purpose of his newspaper. In addition to gathering stories himself, Mr. Parvez is supported by a dedicated team of about 20 volunteers, comprising farmers, fishermen, traders, seamstresses, and housewives from the village and its surroundings. These individuals contribute news tips and serve as his grassroots reporters.
Once a month, Mr. Parvez convenes with his team of reporters to discuss potential stories before selecting those that will headline the next issue. He dedicates himself to ensuring that the most pressing issues are highlighted.
Some stories from Andharmanik have even garnered national attention and incited significant changes. For example, after reporting on the lack of a network tower in Shonathala, which left residents unable to use their phones due to poor connectivity, a Bangladeshi telecommunications company took notice and established a tower in the area. In another instance, Mr. Parvez documented the collapse of a sluice gate that caused saltwater to inundate farmland; this prompted local authorities to take action and repair the gate.
One of the most poignant stories he covered was about a young girl named Rubina. After her father drowned while fishing, Rubina, along with her mother and grandmother, found themselves homeless and forced to beg for survival. “The image of Rubina desperately trying to care for her mother has stayed with me,” Mr. Parvez recalled. This touching story caught the attention of the popular Bangladeshi television program Ittadi, leading local officials to step in and provide assistance to the family. “Young Rubina no longer had to beg,” he shared, a sense of fulfillment evident in his voice.
Mr. Parvez is acutely aware of the challenges faced by people living in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, where poverty is pervasive. From a young age, he undertook various jobs, including farming and fishing, while nurturing a passion for writing poetry and songs. “It became a habit for me,” he reflected.
The inspiration to launch his handwritten newspaper struck in 2016 when he met independent journalist Rafiqul Montu on his way home from fishing. Mr. Parvez shared his writings with Mr. Montu, who praised his handwriting and encouraged him to focus on reporting human crises and uplifting news. This encouragement culminated in the first edition of Andharmanik being published in May 2019. Mr. Montu, who continues to mentor Mr. Parvez, aims to replicate this success in nine other coastal regions.
“I believe this is a crucial platform for amplifying the voices of marginalized coastal communities, enabling them to reach mainstream media,” Mr. Montu stated.
Despite the progress, challenges remain, particularly due to technological limitations and low literacy rates in rural southern Bangladesh. Some initiatives have faltered after just a few issues, while others have struggled to even get a single edition off the ground. “However, my efforts persist,” Mr. Montu affirmed. “One key factor in Hasan Parvez’s success is his unwavering dedication. Despite being a laborer, his commitment to writing shines through.”
Describing his production process, Mr. Parvez begins by typing the headline on A3 paper at an internet café, then writes the remainder of the content by hand. He travels over five miles to the nearest town to print 300 copies using a Xerox machine. After folding the pages, he binds them with a green paper strip and glues them together. “I let the papers dry in the sun,” he said. “Once they’re ready, I deliver them to my readers, hoping they find value in my work.”
Mr. Parvez distributes the papers from house to house and at local tea stalls, grocery stores, and vegetable markets. The newspaper is priced at 10 taka (approximately 7 pence), which covers production and transportation costs; however, he generously gives copies to those unable to afford it. Mr. Parvez does all this without seeking personal profit, finding joy in seeing his work shared throughout the community.
When asked about his aspirations for the future, he said, “As long as I live, I will continue writing this paper by hand; it’s a promise I’ve made to myself and to my mentor, Mr. Montu. My greatest wish is for the paper to endure even after I’m gone and to positively impact those around me.”
With Usraat Fahmidah
