A two-day training workshop on election-time journalism was inaugurated in Rajshahi on Saturday with the aim of equipping journalists with the skills and ethical grounding needed to responsibly cover elections and address challenges during the polling period.
The workshop was launched in the morning at the conference room of the Liberation War Memorial Stadium in the city. It has been organized by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) with overall cooperation from the Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ).
A total of 50 working journalists from different upazilas of Rajshahi district are taking part in the training. The initiative seeks to strengthen journalists’ understanding of professional responsibility, ethics, and risk management at a time when election reporting remains highly sensitive.
At the inaugural ceremony, speeches were delivered by PIB resource person and noted journalist Ziaur Rahman, Assistant Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Sadikul Islam Swapan, RUJ President Abdul Awwal, and RUJ General Secretary Dalim Hossain Shanto, among others. The session was moderated by Mohammad Shah Alam, a trainer from PIB’s Study and Training Department.
The speakers emphasized that election-time journalism carries significant risks, as rumors, fake news, propaganda, and misleading content—particularly on social media—pose serious challenges to credible reporting. They stressed that journalists must have a clear understanding of electoral laws, Election Commission guidelines, codes of conduct, and professional ethics to ensure accurate, balanced, and objective coverage.
They also highlighted the crucial role of the media in ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process. Responsible journalism, they noted, helps build public trust and strengthens democracy by presenting verified information and incorporating views from all sides.
The workshop will cover key topics including election-related laws and regulations, risk management in field reporting, responsible journalism on digital platforms, and methods to identify and counter fake news. Organizers believe the training will enhance professional competence and contribute to improving the overall standard of responsible journalism in the public interest during election periods.