Media and Public Opinion in Foreign Policy Making in Bangladesh

The influence of the media in determining public opinion and informing foreign policy-making processes in Bangladesh is considerable. The media impacts decision-making indirectly, while also acting as a forum for information and public discussion, which affects foreign policy formulation and implementation. This study analyzes the nature of the relationship between media, public opinion, and foreign policy in Bangladesh through analyses of historical developments, theoretical concepts, and current practices. The study draws attention to the media's role in Bangladesh's Liberation War, national and international media's contributions, the development of the country's media landscape, and the rise of digital journalism and social media. Informed by insights from the CNN Effect, Al Jazeera Effect, and soft power, the study identifies the media's construction of narratives that influence public perceptions of Bangladesh's bilateral relations with India, China, Pakistan, and other regional actors. The paper further explores the media's contributions to track-two diplomacy, public diplomacy, and the development of Bangladesh's international image. It contends that media acts as a crucial middleman between policymakers and citizens, as it raises foreign policy awareness, fosters debates, and sways the degree of public backing of such diplomatic efforts. Despite issues with press freedom, regulation, and digital misinformation, media remains an essential constituent of Bangladesh's foreign policy context and a key tool in advancing national interests amid an ever-connected world.