Bangladesh Sees Rise in RSS Feed Usage for News Consumption

Dhaka, Bangladesh – A noticeable shift in how Bangladeshis access news is underway, with an increasing number of individuals and organizations turning to Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. While not a new technology, RSS is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly among those seeking to curate news from diverse sources and avoid algorithm-driven content.

Traditionally, RSS allows users to subscribe to updates from websites without directly visiting them. Instead, a dedicated RSS reader application or service aggregates content from chosen sources, presenting it in a streamlined format. This contrasts with social media platforms or news aggregators that often employ algorithms to determine what content users see.

The rise in RSS adoption within Bangladesh appears driven by a combination of factors. Concerns over misinformation and ‘filter bubbles’ created by social media algorithms are prompting users to seek more direct and controllable news sources. Many Bangladeshi journalists and media professionals are also actively promoting RSS as a means to bypass censorship and ensure wider dissemination of information.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in requests for our RSS feed over the past year,” says Rahman Khan, Chief Technology Officer at The Daily Star, a leading English-language newspaper in Bangladesh. “People are tired of having their news dictated to them. They want to choose what they read and from whom.” Khan also noted that the RSS feed provides a consistent, ad-free experience, which appeals to many users.

The trend isn't limited to established news organizations. Independent blogs, investigative journalism platforms, and civil society groups in Bangladesh are increasingly utilizing RSS feeds to distribute their reports and analyses. This allows them to reach audiences directly, circumventing potential restrictions on social media or traditional media channels.

Internationally, the revival of RSS is linked to broader concerns about the dominance of large tech companies in the news ecosystem. The decline of Google Reader in 2013 initially dealt a blow to RSS adoption, but a wave of new RSS reader applications and services have emerged in recent years, catering to a growing demand for independent news consumption. Feedly, Inoreader, and NewsBlur are among the popular options available.

Some observers suggest the renewed interest in RSS is part of a larger ‘indieweb’ movement, where individuals and organizations are seeking to reclaim control over their online presence and data. By utilizing RSS, users can move away from centralized platforms and build their own personalized news ecosystems.

However, RSS is not without its limitations. It requires a degree of technical know-how to set up and maintain, which can be a barrier for some users. Moreover, not all websites offer RSS feeds, and some feeds may be poorly maintained or unreliable.

Despite these challenges, the trend towards RSS adoption in Bangladesh and globally suggests a growing desire for more transparent, controllable, and diverse news consumption. As concerns about misinformation and algorithmic bias continue to mount, RSS offers a viable alternative for those seeking to stay informed on their own terms. The technology provides a pathway to news that is user-directed, rather than platform-directed, a growing priority for a digitally connected populace. Further growth is anticipated as more individuals become aware of the benefits and ease of use of RSS readers and feeds.