Does press freedom cause human development? Examining Bangladesh. Issue 3 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Islam, Aminul; Osmani, Ataul Gani
• Is Part Of: Media Asia. Volume 44:Issue 3/4(2017)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: press freedom -- human development -- media -- Bangladesh; Mass media -- Asia -- Periodicals; Médias -- Asie -- Périodiques; Mass media; Asia; Massacommunicatie; MASS COMMUNICATION; COMMUNICATION RESEARCH; ASIA; Periodicals; 302.23095
• DOI: 10.1080/01296612.2017.1365574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0129-6612

Abstract

Abstract : The study investigates the casual relationship between press freedom and human development in Bangladesh by using data from the Reporters Without Borders and United Nations Development Programme over the period 2002–2014. The modified causality test "Toda–Yamamoto" has been applied to analyze the data. Though, it is widely believed that press freedom and development go hand in hand, the results suggest that there is no evidence of causal relationship either from freedom of the press and human development in Bangladesh. This implies that in the long-run, press freedom does not cause human development and vice versa. This result is obvious for the country as it is still lag behind in achieving improvements to this two –press freedom and human development. Thus, the causal relationship between the two is not established in Bangladesh. This study suggests for shaping appropriate policies to advance press freedom in the country and thereby human development should be redefined considering improvements in press freedom.