Rajshahi: To ensure journalists' professional responsibilities, ethics, and safety during election periods, training workshops are of paramount importance. Recognizing the crucial role of the media in ensuring free, fair, and impartial elections, a two-day training workshop on election-time journalism was organized in Rajshahi. Certificates were awarded to 50 journalists from Rajshahi University and various upazilas at the closing ceremony of the workshop, held in the conference room of the Rajshahi Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training workshop was organized by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) with overall cooperation from the Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ). Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter emphasized that journalists' responsibilities become even more sensitive during election periods. Through objective, fact-based, and responsible reporting, the media strengthens democracy. Such training programs are timely and necessary to enhance journalists' professional skills and awareness.
She further stated that the upcoming referendum and national parliamentary elections are important for maintaining the country's democratic continuity. The role of media professionals is indispensable in delivering accurate and reliable information about the exercise of voting rights to the public. She also emphasized the need to maintain accuracy, balance, and neutrality in reporting on elections and referendums, warning that misleading information, rumors, or misinformation can harm the electoral environment.
The event was chaired by Dalim Hossain Shanto, General Secretary of RUJ, and moderated by Mohammad Shah Alam, a trainer from PIB's Study and Training Division. Speakers included Salahuddin Ahmad Bablu and Abdul Awal, President of the Rajshahi Journalists Union, among others.
Meanwhile, a separate two-day training workshop on election-time journalism concluded at the Social Services Office conference hall in the city, involving another 50 journalists working in Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts. Professor Farid Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University, was the chief guest at this event. The program was chaired by Muhammad Abdul Awal, President of RUJ, with resource person Sharmin Rinvi present. Participating journalists expressed that the training workshop would play a significant role in promoting responsible journalism and enhancing professional capacity during election periods.