DHAKA, Feb 19, 2022 (BSS) - Migration experts, researchers and officials have suggested for promoting a balanced media reporting on women migration with a view to ensuring good governance in this sector.

  They said imbalanced reporting are harmful than helpful to women aspirants seeking scopes for a better life through migrating abroad with employments.

  The speakers made the remarks at a webinar on 'Media Representation of Women Migrant Workers: A Critical Look' jointly organized by Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), and Drishti Research Centre (DRC) on Saturday, said a press release.

  Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen attended the event as chief guest while chief technical adviser of Freedom ILO Igor Bosc was present as special guest.

  ERF General Secretary S M Rashidul Islam moderated the programme with ERF president Sharmeen Rinvy in the chair. Special anthropologist Madame Therese Blanchet delivered the introductory remarks.

  Economist Dr Nazneen Ahmed presented findings of a study on the topic at the webinar.

  Referring to the study, Dr Nazneen said negative reporting regarding female migration is dominating in Bangladeshi media.

  "No doubt, journalists are usually picking reports for the wellbeing of women workers, but it sometimes becomes harmful because of their improper wording or the way of presentation," she added.

  The study found 496 migration-related news articles published from 2015 to 2021 in four newspapers. Out of those, 147 articles focused on women while 21 were positive, 99 were negative, and 26 highlighted both positive and negative aspects.

  The study scrutinized how overseas female migrants are characterized and stereotyped in print and electronic media and how they are characterized by gender, class, and geographical origin.

  The findings showed, positive news were mostly about opening a new destination for migrants and increasing the number of legal migrant workers' opportunities.

  According to the research, the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia has given a chance to migrate unskilled Bangladeshi women free of cost.

  This is a welcome opportunity for many women to earn more and improve their living standards.

  The report also mentioned that skilled migration is desirable for better remittance earnings as there are better opportunities for them.

   Among others, Chairman of RAPID and director of PRI Dr MA Razzaque , Bureau chief of AFP of Bangladesh Shafiqul Alam and staff reporter of The Financial Express Arafat Ara were present as discussants.