Role of Bangabandhu in the Development of Post-independence International Relations: A Study on Selected Dhaka Dailies

Abstract

Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the dreamer of Bengali independence, has left Bangladesh at a unique height on the World stage. His contributions to the development of international relations in Bangladesh after independence are undeniable. Bangabandhu has prepared the map of Bangladesh's foreign policy and international outline. The main objective of this study is to analyze how Bangabandhu's roles, steps and activities in the development of international relations after independence have been reflected in the newspapers. The study was carried out through purposive sampling of newspaper stories using systematic sampling methods. In the four years from 1972 to 1975, the number of sample newspapers in the Daily Ittefaq stood at 188, while the total number of news was 17,484. Among the sampled newspapers, international news related to Bangladesh was 330 (1.89%), of which the highest was 228 (69.09%) on the front page, the lowest was 4 (1.21%) on the sixth page, the highest was 113 (34.24%) in 1974 and the lowest was 68 (20.61%) in 1975. In terms of news type, simple news was the most printed at 249 (75.45%) and the lowest investigative and feature news at 3 (0.91%) and 3 (0.91%) respectively. The highest number of news sources was government and non-government organizations with 117 (35.45%) and the lowest was 8 (2.42%) press conferences. The study focused on five types of news issues (recognition, international conferences, international organizations, the United Nations, and diplomatic meetings). By presenting the logical results of the research work, it is proved that the strong position of Bangladesh in the international arena is a far-reaching result of Bangabandhu's farsighted policy and leadership in the development of international relations after independence. The results of this research will play an important role in understanding Bangladesh's international relations and Bangabandhu's contributions. In a very short period after independence, Bangabandhu and his government have created a golden history by achieving international recognition, getting membership in different organizations, and improving relations with different countries and organizations. The study recommends more in-depth analysis and documentation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's diplomatic strategies and their long-term impacts on Bangladesh's international relations to serve as a guiding framework for future research and foreign policy development.