# Introduction ournalism is a prominent career in Bangladesh, and those who work in this noble field contribute significantly to the development of the country's various industries. Despite the fact that journalism is a very significant career, there are no specific requirements for becoming a journalist or a politician in the United States. However, recently, there has been a little improvement in this scenario. A graduate can pursue a career in the media. However, in some circumstances, a bachelor's degree in journalism from an accredited university is a requirement for employment. Recruitment is an important part of every business [1]. In Bangladesh two thousand registered in daily newspapers published around the country, with more than four hundred of them being dailies. It is vital to note that more than two hundred newspapers are printed in the capital every day. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh [2]. Justice Sultan Hossain Khan, a former head of the Bangladesh Press Council, expressed his opinion that in compared to the country's economic situation, the number of daily newspapers issued is enormous. In addition the statement emphasized that the publication of a newspaper should be seen as a commercial endeavor. The People who are financially well-off should step forward and take the initiative to build a newspaper publication system industry. Furthermore, in order to protect press freedom, the minimal financial soundness of the publication must be maintained. Journalists should be given first priority [3]. However, it is a source of regret that journalists are frequently subjected to this. In Bangladesh, not receiving a salary for months on end is not uncommon [4]. The working conditions of journalists in rural and remote places are not suitable. A significant percentage of the local journalists who work for the newspapers are not properly compensated. In Bangladesh context Journalism, a prestigious job and those who are involved in this noble profession play vital role in different sectors like political, economic, social, science and technology, sports, entertainment and other sectors of this country. As a profession journalism is a very important one but no qualification is specified for becoming journalist likely politician. However, this situation has been slightly changed in last few years. A graduate can join the media organization, but in some cases university degree in journalism is prerequisite condition of the recruitment. The condition of journalists working at local areas is not satisfactory. A good number of the dailies do not provide salary properly to their local journalists. Most of the pressmen of the different dailies published from divisional and district level are drawing less than Taka one thousand per month that is even less than a day labor [1]. According to a study in 1995 on Dhaka city newspapers, about 69% journalists are getting salary as per 4 th wage board but they are not enjoying other facilities or incentives stated in 4 th wageboard. Journalists are blaming the owners' commercial attitude for this sort of deprivation. For this reason most of the journalists are not satisfied with their present jobs. In a study regarding journalism found that 50 percent journalists are not satisfied to their salary and other facilities. That study was based on the interview of Journalists of 67 dailies published from six divisions including Dhaka. That study showed 68% pressmen felt disappointed being connected with journalism profession [5]. Consequently, the researcher has designed this present study. The aim of this study was to explore a survey in the northern divisions of Bangladesh to know the prospects and challenges of Journalism in northern Bangladesh. Research Questions: What are the prospects and challenges of journalism in the northern divisions in Bangladesh? # Objective ? To determine the prospects and challenges of the journalists in the northern divisions of Bangladesh. II. # Methodology This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the northern divisions of Bangladesh during June 2021 to June 2022. The ethical clearance of this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shikkabarta.com. The purpose and benefits of the study was disclosed to the respondents in local language and written informed consent was taken from the respondents of the study. Purposive sampling method as per inclusion criteria was applied for the study. Samples were selected conveniently according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and availability of cases and a total of 167 male and female journalists aged above 18 years from Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions were enrolled in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were applied to find out best possible outcome. A pre structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents through face-to-face interview. The collected data were edited, cleaned, entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0. Descriptive analysis such as frequencies and mean were used for this study. The result of this study was presented by using tables graphs and pie charts. The inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study were as follows: opportunity in time while 59.88% reported their organization doesn't.28.14% participants reported that the higher authority of their organization recognizes risks and undertake specific mitigation strategies hours while 71.86% reported their organization doesn't.28.14% participants reported that their organization provides transport at news covering time while 71.86% reported their organization doesn't.25.15% participants reported that their organization provides electronic devices while 74.85% reported their organization doesn't. 23.35% participants reported that their organization provides office while 76.65% reported their organization doesn't. 11.98% participants reported that their organization provides insurance support while 88.02% reported their organization doesn't.14.37% participants reported that their organization provides provident fund facility while 85.63% reported their organization doesn't.20.36% participants reported that their organization provides gratuity facility while 79.64% reported their organization doesn't.32.93% participants reported that their family supports regarding their job while 67.07% reported their family doesn't support.60.48% participants feel fear for their physical security while 39.52% reported they doesn't fear.52.69% participants fear for their digital security while 47.31% reported they doesn't fear at all.61.68% participants reported that they had experienced work-related threats while 61.68% reported they didn't.38.32% participants reported that they had experienced digital security threats while 61.68% reported they didn't.41.32% participants reported that they use proper software for the protection of digital communication system while 58.68% reported they doesn't.40.72% participants reported that they took digital security training to keep data safe while 59.26% reported they didn't take any training.53.29% participants were aware of the protection against ICT act while 46.71% were unaware regarding digital security Act. According to the satisfaction level with the salary 2.40% were very satisfied, 43.11% were satisfied, 8.96% were neutral, 33.53% were dissatisfied and 11.96% were very dissatisfied. 47.90% participants' salary were reported below 10 thousand, while 23.95% get a salary between 10 28.14% get more than 20 thousand BDT monthly. According to the satisfaction level with working hour 1.80% were very satisfied, 55.09% were satisfied, 13.17% were neutral, 25.75% were dissatisfied and 4.19% were very dissatisfied. Inclusion criteria a. Age Among the respondents 49.10% respondents are satisfied followed b 24.55% are neutral dissatisfied, 3.59% are very dissatisfied and 3.59% are very satisfied. # Discussion Once upon a time, journalism was seen as a calling. The media upholds democracy and rights of mass people in the contemporary globe, and it is regarded as the fourth estate of a state to all [6]. Its significance to the Bangladeshi revolution is immense. On the other hand, things have turned around. This is now the standard practice in the commercial world. The journalists in the northern part of Bangladesh confront a lot of difficulties. Due to a lack of Pressures from owners for marketing and profit-making, coupled with government assistance, financial difficulties, low salaries, feudal rule, and historical precedents for these structures, journalists face nowadays. Journalists often raised the issues of low salaries, financial difficulties, and the absence of government assistance. Journalists aren't compensated fairly, and they don't get overtime pay. According to Riaz's (2015) research on the vernacular press, these are the primary economic concerns of local journalists. [7] The present study found that 31.74% participants reported that they got appointment letter from the organization while 68.26% reported they didn't get. 20.36% participants reported that they drowned salary from their organization while 68.26% reported they didn't do that. 20.36% participants reported that their organization pays their salary regularly while 83.23% reported their organization doesn't. 19.16% participants reported that their organization gives allowance for their offspring while 80.84% reported their organization doesn't. 12.57% participants reported that their organization provides insurance while 87.43% reported their organization doesn't. 21.56% participants reported that their organization provides festival allowance while 78.44% reported their organization doesn't. 29.34% participants reported that their organization provides conducive working hours while 70.66% reported their organization doesn't.38.32% participants reported that their organization arranges yearly performance award while 61.68% reported their organization doesn't.75.45% participants reported that they need further professional training and workshop while 24.55% reported they doesn't need.37.72% participants reported that they got performance award while 62.28% reported they didn't get yet.38.32% participants reported that their organization provides relevant training while 61.68% reported their organization doesn't. 40.12% participants reported that their organization provides promotion opportunity in time while 59.88% reported their organization doesn't.28.14% participants reported that the higher authority of their organization recognizes risks and undertake specific mitigation strategies hours while 71.86% reported their organization doesn't. [8][9][10][11][12] The major focus of the study was to explore the relationships of journalists' economic issues and ethical journalism. Concept of political economy suggests that media has © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue VIII Version I 51 ( ) become industry and political, economic elites used media for their interests (Baran & Davis, 2010 [13]; Boyd-Barrett, 1995;McQuail, 2010). [14] V. # Limitations of the Study This study was conducted within a short period of time with limited sample size. So, total scenario of prospects and challenges of journalism in the northern divisions of Bangladesh may not depict. Consequently, further study is recommended on a large scale VI. # Conclusion This study identifies challenges affecting the Journalism Profession in northern divisions of Bangladesh, such as work instability, risk, poor facilities, and a lack of an appropriate job policy. Despite its shortcomings, the study recommends encouraging and growing journalism in Bangladesh. # Disclosure Statement None of the authors has any conflicts of interest regarding the content of this article. 11![Figure 1: Salary range of the respondentsFigure 1: Shows the monthly salary range of the respondents.According to the satisfaction level with the salary 2.40% were very satisfied, 43.11% were satisfied, 8.96% were neutral, 33.53% were dissatisfied and 11.96% were very dissatisfied. 47.90% participants' salary were reported below 10 thousand, while 23.95% get a salary between 10 28.14% get more than 20 thousand BDT monthly.](image-2.png "Figure 1 :Figure 1 :") 2![Figure 2: Satisfaction level of the respondents towards salary range (n=167).](image-3.png "Figure 2 :") 2![Figure2: Shows the satisfaction level of the respondents towards salary. Among the respondents, only 2.40% were very satisfied, 43.11% were satisfied, dissatisfied were 33.53%, and very dissatisfied were 11, 90% and only 9.06% respondents remained neutral in giving answer regarding this issue.](image-4.png "Figure 2 :") 3![Figure 3: Total working hours/day of the respondents (n=167).](image-5.png "Figure 3 :") 3![Figure 3: Shows the total working hours/day of the respondents.52.69% have to work for 5 to 10 hours while 47.31% have to work for more than 10 hours.](image-6.png "Figure 3 :") 144)(>18 years b. Male and Female Journalist c. Physically or mentally able to participate in this study Exclusion criteria a. Age <18 years b. Unwilling to participate in this study c. Physically or mentally unable to participate in this study Volume XXII Issue VIII Version I (Table 1): Shows the socio-demographic profile of the respondents. Among 167 participants 94.01% were male and 5.99% were female. 25.1% were reported 18 >29 age group, 37.7% were aged 30>39, 29.3% were reported for the age group of 40>49, 6.0% were reported for 50>59 age group and 1.8% were reported 60>69 aged group. According to the religion 92.2% were reported Islam while Hindu were reported 7.8%.According to the education level of the participants S.S.C. was reported 4.8%, H.S.C. was reported 24.0%, Under graduate was reported 50.3% while Post graduate was reported 21.0%.83.2% were reported married while 16.8% were reported unmarried.35.9% had no children, while 16.8% had only one child, 36.5% © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue VIII Version I 2Service LengthFrequency (n)Percent (%)1>52515.06>105532.911>152313.816>201710.221>253018.026>3084.831>3595.4Total167100.0( 2reported 10.2%, 21 to 25 years was reported 18.0%, 26According to the service length 1 to 5 years wasto 30 years was reported 4.8% and 31 to 35 years wasreported 15.0%, 6 to 10 years was reported 32.9%, 11 toreported 5.4%.15 years was reported 13.8%, 16 to 20 years was 3Variables 4OpinionFrequency (n) Percent (%)48( ) Prospects and Challenges of Journalism in Northern Divisions of Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study ## Acknowledgement All the Presidents and the Secretaries of Local Press Clubs of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions of Bangladesh. * SFAhmed Sangbad O Sangbadikata (Newspaper & Journalists). Annual Souvenir: Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Dhaka, Bangladesh 2005. February * TarporoSangbadpatro Gonotontrer Vanguard? AHBanna Annual Report: Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Dhaka, Bangladesh 2004 Yet News paper is vanguard of Democracy * Report of Secretary General MAlam Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) 2003. December. 2002 * So many newspapers, somany Journalists in the country) EthosangbadikDesheethosangbadpatra Bartajibee (Message Professioal) * BangladesherSangbadpatre KormorotoSangbadikederObostha (The state of working AKamal 2000 Bangladesh * SangbadpatrerShadhinota (Freedom of Newspaper) KAlam 1992 Dhaka, Bangladesh * MJ APradhan Sangbadpatra O Sangbadikata (Newspaper and Journalism). Annual Report: Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Dhaka, Bangladesh 2003 * Denton 2012 Paper presented in the conference on Rural Journalism held in the Shaker village of the Kentucky state USA * Rural Journalism, paper presented in the conference on Rural journalism arranged by UNESCO in Islamabad on WJayaweera 2003. February 4, 2003 * Coverage of Rural areas in print media of Aligarh Uttar Pradesh, Association of Communication and Media Studies NKhattri 2011 New Delhi * Constraints in the professionalization of Journalism in Sindh province BMemon The Sindh University Journal of Education 42 2013. 2012-13 * AMadni KP Journalists face problems Weekly Pulse Islamabad October 2011 * Challenges to Rural Journalism in Pakistan SRiaz FWU Journal of Social Sciences 9 2 72 2015 * McQuail's mass communication theory DMcquail 2010 Sage publications