Bangladeshi Newspapers Thrive Abroad, Lifeline for Migrant Communities
For Bangladeshis, the bond with their mother tongue runs deep. So deep that it once inspired the historic Language Movement of 1952. Even after migrating abroad, that connection remains intact. In the United States, despite the abundance of world-renowned English-language newspapers, many Bangladeshis continue to feel a stronger pull toward publications in Bangla.
Across New York and other states, expatriates regularly take home Bangla newspapers every week. In them, readers find not only news from home but also a cultural anchor—analysis of world affairs, reflections of their heritage, and a way to remain rooted in their language. For elderly migrants, these papers are a companion in daily life, while for children they serve as an essential tool for learning Bangla.
Bangla newspapers in the US also play an important role in community life. They cover politics, social issues, cultural events, and even promote small businesses within immigrant neighborhoods. Over time, their influence has expanded beyond New York to Bangladeshi communities across the country.
Last Friday in front of a mosque in New York, dozens of worshippers were seen collecting copies of Bangla weeklies after Jumu’ah prayers—some taking two copies, others as many as four. Outside mosques, local shops and designated distribution points remain the main hubs for Bangla newspapers, while younger readers often access them online.
Community leaders describe Bangla newspapers as more than news outlets; they are bridges that preserve identity and culture. “For the younger generation growing up abroad, these papers are markers of heritage. From politics and education to arts and business, they reflect the full spectrum of life back home,” said one cultural organiser.
Mahmudul Hasan, a Bangladeshi from Buffalo, told, “When I return home after work and pick up a Bangla newspaper, it feels like I’m holding a piece of Bangladesh itself. English papers can’t give that sense of belonging.”
Sharmin Akhter, a student from Jackson Heights added, “My younger siblings are learning Bangla by reading newspapers. They enjoy the stories, poems, even the adverts. It’s helping them practise the language and connect with our roots.”
Bangla newspaper publishing in the US began in the 1980s. Today, titles such as Prothom Alo North America, Weekly Thikana, Weekly Bangalee, Weekly Ajkal, Weekly Probash, and Weekly Bangladesh are widely circulated from New York. Alongside them, several online television platforms also serve the diaspora, bringing news, culture, and community issues to Bangladeshi immigrants across the US.
