TV channels broadcast stereotypical programmes on the Victory Day, which sometimes do not depict the depth of the war, observe viewers, cultural activists and freedom fighters.
Most of the special teleplays aired on the Victory Day fail to portray the authentic picture of the war they observe.
The viewers don’t find any matter of attraction in the ‘special musical shows’, which typically line up solo and group presentations of the patriotic songs by ‘common faces’. The run-of-the-mill celebration programmes also feature repeated broadcasts of documentaries and films, the viewers say.
Ishtiak Karim, a private service holder, observes that the special programmes lack diversity as these special programmes are mostly the teleplays and musical shows.
‘It often seems that the shows have been created abruptly without much research and care, especially the teleplays, which have typical storylines,’ Fardina Mehrin, an NGO worker, told New Age.
Eminent actor and playwright Enamul Haq, who wrote the first teleplay on war after the independence titled Bangla Amar Bangla, which was aired on January 10, 1972, said, ‘The programmes aired on the Victory Day do not portray the fundamental spirit of the war. Such programmes deal with some common elements.’
Supplementing Haq, noted actor-director Abul Hayat, who also performed in Bangla Amar Bangla, directed by Abdullah Al Mamun, said, ‘The depth of war is not portrayed in any teleplay on the war due to fund constraints and lack of logistic and technical supports.’
Redowan Rony, one of the young teleplay makers admits the criticism. ‘It has become a trend to make teleplays and telecast them in short time. I think that teleplays on the war should be made with special care,’ said Rony, who made special teleplays on war of independence such as Janani Sahasini and Code Name Alpha.
The representatives of the private TV channels also admit that these channels chalk out programmes in short notice. ‘Teleplays and music programmes are made in a very short time,’ said Amirul Islam Khokhon, head of programme of GTV.
‘We try to air good quality programmes. However, it is natural that few programmes might lack quality,’ Tashik Ahmed, vice-president of programme and transmission of ATN Bangla.
Media personality Noazesh Ali Khan blames the ‘over commercialised approach’ of the sponsors as root cause. ‘It is costlier to buy or make special programmes on special occasions such as Victory Day celebrations. But, TV channels completely depend on the will of the sponsors. Still the channels try their best to telecast good quality programmes,’ Noazesh Ali Khan, a consultant of programme of ATN Bangla, told New Age.
Common viewers, however, believe that quality programmes should be aired on the special days like Victory Day or Independence Day for a longer period as done by the channels on Eid celebrations.
-With New Age input
