Journalists and civil society organization (CSO) leaders in Dhaka on Saturday stressed the importance of data collaboration to improve the quality of media reports in the power and energy sector.
With better access to facts and local insights, they say news stories can have more impact.
At a discussion titled “Sustainable Energy Transition: News Media–Civil Society Collaboration,” organized by the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) at the YWCA Auditorium in Dhaka, speakers agreed that sustained cooperation, institutional reform, and inclusive storytelling are key to driving Bangladesh’s clean energy future.
In a keynote presentation, Kuntal Roy, Asia regional team lead at the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), suggested that news media houses could collaborate with CSOs, leveraging their expertise in data collection and analysis to produce more in-depth, evidence-based reporting.
Prothom Alo Head of Online Shawkat Hossain Masum also emphasized the need for stronger data analysis capacity in newsrooms, given their limited resources and tight schedules. “Support from CSOs in this area can greatly enhance the quality of reporting,” he said.
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), pointed out that while media plays a key role in raising awareness, reporting must move beyond input-focused narratives and measure actual impact.
He also criticized the Dhaka-centric approach in media coverage. “We rarely hear from local experts or communities directly affected,” he added.
Sharier Khan, senior executive editor of The Business Standard, urged civil society to proactively generate newsworthy research and public engagement. “The National Committee to Protect Oil and Gas once had a powerful presence. We need similar civic momentum again,” he said.
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, director of the Centre for Energy Research at United International University, emphasized the need for greater scrutiny when publishing opinion or analytical pieces, noting that some articles are authored by individuals with limited subject knowledge, which can lead to misinformation.
Speakers also raised concerns about the media’s financial sustainability.
“We are producing expensive content and putting it online for free, often without returns. Without a viable business model, media cannot remain independent,” said Shahed Mohammad Ali, editor of Samakal.
"There should be more reporting on upcoming policy changes, so that researchers and stakeholders can better understand the government’s direction in advance," said Shafiqul Alam, lead energy analyst at IEEFA.
Representatives from civil society stressed the importance of forming coalitions and amplifying grassroots perspectives in the policy conversation.
“CSOs and news media can continue their individual efforts, but meaningful collaboration between the two is essential,” said Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, coordinator of the Capacity Development Unit at the Manusher Jonno Foundation.
The event was moderated by MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman.
Participants of the event included Maasranga TV Editor-in-Chief Rejoanul Haq, Dhaka Tribune acting editor Reaz Ahmad, The Daily Star Deputy Editor Arun Devnath, Channel 24 Executive Editor Talat Mamun, Bangla Tribune City Editor Udisa Islam, Shamim Abdullah Zahedy, Independent Television associate editor, and Jamuna TV Assignment and Planning Editor Roksana Anjuman Nicole.
Representatives from civil society organizations included Dipal Barua, founder and chairman of Bright Green Energy Foundation; Md Abul Kalam Azad, manager of Just Energy Transition (JET) at ActionAid Bangladesh; Rayyan Hasan, executive director at NGO Forum on ADB; Mohammad Mamun Miah, adviser of The Earth, SM Mahbub Alam Prince, operations manager at Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEA); Newazul Mowla, coordinator (Energy Governance) at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB); Afia Mubasshira Tiasha, senior research associate at SANEM; Shuvo Naeem Rabbani, project manager at DIPTO Foundation; and Abdun Naqib Jimmy, grants officer at Tara Climate Foundation.
