North South University (NSU) hosted the book-launching program for Decoding Ad Culture: Television Commercials and Broadcast Regulations in Bangladesh, authored by Dr. Harisur Rahman, Associate Professor of the Media, Communication, and Journalism (MCJ) Program. The event, held at NSU’s Syndicate Hall, was organized by the MCJ Program under the Department of Political Science and Sociology (PSS).
The program was chaired by NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, with engaging discussions featuring Mr. Towhidul Islam, Chief News Editor of Jamuna TV; Mr. Ashraf Kaiser, Founder and Managing Director of Benchmark Limited; Dr. Khorshed Alam, Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka; Mr. Khawaza Main Uddin, Media Lead at Forethought PR; and Ms. Musharrat Hossain, Senior Lecturer at NSU. The session was moderated by Dr. Rezwan Ul Alam, Associate Professor of the MCJ Program.
NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury remarked, “This book has created new questions that will push us to think in newer ways.”
Dr. Md. Harisur Rahman, Associate Professor, Media, Communication and Journalism, NSU, explained that he had conducted years of research to write this book, which included 28 in-depth interviews with various TV producers and media analysts. He said, “The book highlights how commercials are made to be persuasive yet exploitative, neglect social responsibilities, and promote consumerism.”
Discussants praised Decoding Ad Culture for its timely analysis of advertising’s influence on consumer behavior and its call for greater transparency and accountability in the industry. The event concluded with an interactive discussion, highlighting the growing need for responsible advertising and policy reforms in Bangladesh.
The book launch marked a significant academic milestone, reinforcing NSU’s commitment to fostering critical discourse on media, communication, and advertising ethics.