Why is it not developed here?

Data journalism refers to the comprehensive and analytical presentation of information that provides evaluative insights into particular incidents or objectives.
It distinguishes itself from conventional journalism in its methods of representation. Where conventional journalism primarily focuses on narrating or depicting an incident, data journalism goes deeper, revealing contextual meaning through statistical analysis, comparison, and interpretation.
The use of infographics is another integral component of data journalism, enhancing the accessibility and comprehensibility of complex subjects for a wider audience.
Data journalism typically encompasses a series of activities, including the collection of data, its systematic organisation into a coherent structure, and the application of statistical tools to make information more perceptible. It frequently requires visual instruments such as graphs, charts, and tables that render news more engaging, informative, and impactful.
In Bangladesh, the practice of data journalism remains underdeveloped, and this is particularly striking given the scale of the country's media landscape. The private sector alone comprises thousands of print media outlets, tens of radio stations and television channels, and several hundred online news sites.
This sheer volume of output has not translated into greater analytical depth or data-driven reporting. The majority of outlets continue to rely heavily on conventional journalistic approaches that emphasise interviews, narratives, and descriptive storytelling. As a result, critical data is often omitted, and comprehensive analytical perspectives remain insufficiently explored.
The absence of data journalism limits the depth and clarity of media reporting, and hinders the audience's ability to grasp the underlying significance of events. This gap is made all the more consequential by a rapidly shifting media consumption landscape. According to a survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics for the Media Reform Commission, 73 per cent of Bangladeshis no longer read printed newspapers, while 94 per cent do not listen to radio.
In their place, 88 per cent of respondents now access media content via mobile phones, and 59 per cent read newspaper content through online editions.
As audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms for news, the demand for more engaging and analytically rigorous reporting has never been greater.
Although some media houses in Bangladesh are now attempting to incorporate data journalism into their practice, these efforts remain far from adequate. Several factors account for this limitation, including insufficient budget allocation, political influence, commercial interests, time constraints, and a lack of specialised training. These challenges collectively impede the growth and institutionalisation of data journalism in the country.
The political dimension of this problem is reflected in Bangladesh's broader press freedom environment. The country's position in the World Press Freedom Index had been declining steadily since 2021, falling a total of 13 places over three years to reach 165th out of 180 countries in 2024.
Whilst Bangladesh improved by 16 places in the 2025 index, reaching 149th with a score of 33.71, the situation for independent journalism continues to be classified as "very serious".
In such an environment, the conditions necessary for rigorous, evidence-based reporting are difficult to sustain.
Masood Kamal, senior journalist and political analyst, remarked, "If a journalist is to practise data journalism, he must be given sufficient time to research and analyse the required data. However, most journalists in Bangladesh are expected to produce two to three reports daily, which considerably diminishes their capacity to produce analytical or data-driven work." "Additionally, media owners sometimes have political affiliations, which discourages the adoption of data journalism, as such analytical reporting may place them at a political disadvantage," he added.

As a modern form of journalistic practice, data journalism plays a crucial role in simplifying complex subject matter and promoting evidence-based reporting. Rather than relying on conjecture or speculation, it prioritises accuracy and empirical rigour, strengthening the credibility and trustworthiness of the news media. This matters enormously in a climate where public trust in media institutions is fragile. A BBS survey found that Facebook is now trusted as a news source by 31 per cent of respondents and YouTube by 16.5 per cent, whilst teachers were identified as the most trusted source of knowledge overall, with 42 per cent favouring them over media organisations. That audiences are turning to social media and educators rather than journalism for reliable information speaks to a credibility deficit that data journalism, if properly developed, could help to address.
Md Fazley Rabbi Polash, a senior journalist with experience across national and international media platforms, observed, "The application of data journalism can be expensive, which often creates a practical barrier to its implementation. During an election period, a journalist seeking to gauge likely outcomes might need to visit all 64 districts across Bangladesh to canvass voters on their intentions. Conducting such a survey is both time-consuming and costly. Similarly, identifying potential disaster-prone areas or forecasting the outcome of a given incident requires substantial investment in both time and resources, which is not always available in Bangladesh."
Muhammad Abu Abid, chief editor of Planning, Online, and Current Affairs at Mohona Television, noted, "Media houses in Bangladesh are owned by large industrial groups, which means commercial interests frequently take precedence." His observation is borne out by the structural realities of the industry. Most of the country's leading privately owned media outlets are controlled by a handful of prominent businessmen who treat their holdings as instruments of influence and commercial gain, prioritising good relations with the government over editorial independence. Many newspapers remain financially dependent on state advertising.
"International outlets such as the BBC and Al Jazeera have sponsors who do not seek direct financial returns, allowing them to operate with greater independence. In Bangladesh, by contrast, sponsors typically expect direct financial benefits from the media houses they support," Mr Abid added.
He further observed that Bangladeshi audiences tend to favour shorter content, whereas data journalism inherently demands more extensive, data-driven reporting. Social media usage in the country grew by 22.3 per cent in a single year, bringing the total number of active users to nearly 53 million by early 2024, creating a platform environment that rewards brevity over depth. These factors together create conditions that are ill-suited to the development of data journalism in the country.
By embracing the tools and practices of digital technology, data journalism can assist policymakers in formulating well-informed decisions, reflecting socio-economic realities with far greater accuracy than conventional reporting allows. In a country where public trust in the media is at a low ebb and audiences are increasingly seeking information elsewhere, the development of data journalism is not merely a professional aspiration. It is a democratic necessity.
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