The Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO) on Wednesday launched a new Network Group aimed at strengthening the role of young journalists in advocating for the rights of underprivileged children and promoting positive social change through responsible journalism.
The network was inaugurated at an event held at Velisse in Dhanmondi under LEEDO's Young Journalist Changemaker project. The initiative brings together LEEDO's young journalists, social workers, media professionals and members of civil society to build a collaborative platform focused on ethical journalism and child rights.
Joining the programme virtually, LEEDO Founder and Executive Director Md Forhad Hossain said responsible journalism is essential for protecting the rights of disadvantaged children and bringing their stories to the attention of society.
"There is no alternative to responsible journalism in protecting the rights of underprivileged children and bringing their realities to the forefront of society," he said.
He added that the young journalists trained under the project could play a significant role in driving positive social change through their writing and investigative reporting, while the newly formed network would further strengthen ethical journalism and social advocacy.
Forhad also stressed that the media has a critical role in highlighting issues such as child rights, social justice, inequality and climate change. He said the Young Journalist Changemaker initiative seeks to equip young people with journalism skills rooted in ethics, integrity and humanitarian values.
The event was attended by Engineer Abul Bashar, LEEDO Finance Director Murshida Kanta, theatre activist Shamima Lovely, social worker Anwarul Karim and Md Harun Or Rashid, among others. Representatives from Bangladesh Scouts, the University of Dhaka, Somoy TV, Jamuna TV, as well as officials from various government and non-government organizations, also participated.
Speakers at the event underscored the importance of strengthening the capacity of young journalists to accurately report on the lives, rights and challenges of underprivileged children. They said ethical journalism can help raise awareness, influence public opinion and contribute to policy changes that benefit vulnerable children.
Participants also shared their experiences and future plans regarding child rights, social justice and the role of responsible media in addressing issues affecting disadvantaged communities.
According to the organizers, LEEDO has been working for more than 25 years to promote education, protection, rehabilitation and social inclusion for street-connected and disadvantaged children across Bangladesh.
Building on that experience, the organisation established the new network to foster collaboration among media organizations, development partners and civil society groups. The platform is expected to support regular communication, information sharing, joint initiatives and policy-level advocacy to advance the rights and well-being of underprivileged children.
