The Reporters’ Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) and the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly train journalists covering the Election Commission (EC) beat in a bid to strengthen the quality of election reporting and promote greater information integrity.
The agreement was inked on Tuesday afternoon at the EC headquarters in the capital’s Agargaon under the UNDP-supported project “Advancing Media Capacity and Information Integrity.” RFED President Kazi Emaduddin Zebel and MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman Mukul signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, and UNDP Bangladesh Technical Adviser Andrés del Castillo Sánchez were present at the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Election Commissioner Sanaullah stressed that improving journalists’ professional capacity is directly linked to ensuring a transparent electoral process.
“Training for skill development is not an expenditure; it is an investment,” he said.
Referring to the climate surrounding the upcoming national polls, he added: “We are in an unusual situation, which does not need explanation. The election must be transparent. There is nothing to hide. The media’s responsibility is to reveal the truth—not half-truths.”
He urged journalists to remain committed to accuracy and completeness during the election cycle.
RFED President Zebel described the partnership as a significant step forward for election-focused journalism in Bangladesh.
“Today marks a memorable milestone. Through MRDI, RFED has established a collaboration with UNDP. Training creates opportunities to build bridges and enhance professional standards, ultimately improving the quality of news reporting,” he said.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed also underscored the necessity of such initiatives, noting that credible elections require well-informed and well-prepared media professionals.
“There is no alternative to training when it comes to ensuring elections that are free, fair, and widely acceptable,” he said.
The training program is expected to begin soon, and aims to strengthen journalists’ understanding of electoral processes, counter misinformation, and promote responsible, fact-based reporting ahead of the parliamentary election.
