Recruitment process main cause of BTV`s failure: M Hamid

Noted theatre personality M Hamid started his career as a producer of Bangladesh Television (BTV) and ended as the director general of the institution. He also worked as Managing Director at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation during his long career. As a result, the country’s cultural background is familiar to him and the television arena is also well-known to him.

M Hamid has shown his creativity in cultural arena, drama or media world equally. Recently Mahiul Islam met him on behalf of risingbd.com. The interview is published below for the readers:

risingbd: You have been working at BTV since very long time. How did you join in BTV?

M Hamid: In 1978 I left the job of admin cadre and from then I passed the days in many ways. Then I joined in BTV in 1980 as a producer. Later, I worked as a programme manager and got the post of director general of the institution.

risingbd: How did you pass the those middle years?

M Hamid: It’s a long story. Specially, when I look behind, I see many things. I joined in a movement, demanding setting up “Aporajeo Bangla” in Dhaka University Campus. I can proudly say that I was involved in the construction of the sculpture. Meanwhile, I was elected president of Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU).

risingbd: It has been said that 80’s of BTV was a golden period. How it was possible?

M Hamid: The time is called golden period and it’s really logical to say that because, at that time a great group of people joined in BTV who had separate cultural background.  Among them Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, Barkatullah, Mostafiz are mentionable. Their combined creative brilliance made the time golden period.

risingbd:  Can BTV satisfy the demand of audience now?

M Hamid: BTV has fallen behind. There is a difference between the now and then BTV.

risingbd: What are the causes behind this?

M Hamid: The main cause of this is recruitment process. Suppose an electrician works in power department and he has no tension if the power supply remains uninterrupted. There is no scope of creativity. But media is totally a place of creativity. Creative people are the heart of media. You cannot expect such type of people through examination of Public Service Commission.

risingbd: What should BTV do in this case?

M Hamid: An extra examination can be taken for checking creativity on BTV recruitment process. Beside, a successful person can be included in this matter.

risingbd: Is there much more facilities in BTV than private channels?

M Hamid: Job in BTV is similar to other government job. You will get promotions here after every five years. No one will rebuke you if you fail to face any challenges here. But in private channels, you have to survive with your creativity otherwise you may lose the post. So challenges, development or punishment system should be implemented in BTV.

risingbd: How did you become separated from BTV?

M Hamid: I was forced to go retirement in 2006. Later, again BTV called me in 2012 and I worked as its DG till 2014.

risingbd: BTV crossed 50 years recently. What is your opinion?

M Hamid: I worked many years with BTV and now I`m separated from it. I`d like to see the dazzling success of BTV.

risingbd/DHAKA/ Jan 04, 2015/Tapos Roy/Nasim/Augustin Sujan