Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026 set for May, delegates from over 10 countries to join

A two-day conference aimed at addressing the evolving
challenges of journalism and strengthening professional standards in the media
sector is set to take place in Dhaka this May.
Organised by the Media Resources
Development Initiative (MRDI), the "Bangladesh Journalism Conference
2026" will be held on 8-9 May at Hotel Radisson in the capital.
According to organisers, the event
is expected to bring together around 500 participants, including journalists,
editors, researchers, academics, students and civil society representatives
from home and abroad.
Speaking at a press briefing, MRDI Executive Director
Hasibur Rahman said the initiative comes at a critical juncture, as Bangladesh
navigates a changing democratic landscape where the role of the media warrants
renewed attention. He noted that the conference will also serve as a platform
for knowledge exchange and professional networking with international experts.
The conference will feature 12
sessions with more than 20 speakers and discussants. Participants from over 10
countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal, have already
confirmed their participation.
Key themes of discussion will
include investigative journalism, media accountability, self-regulation, access
to information, digital newsroom transformation, data-driven reporting, gender
equality, inclusion and journalists' safety.
In addition, four dedicated help
desks will be set up at the venue, focusing on investigative journalism, right
to information, fact-checking and mental health support.
For student participants, completion of a designated online journalism course
will be mandatory. Meanwhile, 15 journalists from outside Dhaka will be
selected for fellowship opportunities, which will include mentorship and, where
necessary, financial support for approved story projects.
Registration for the conference
will open online, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served
basis, though final selection will be made by the organisers.
The organisers noted that the
conference coincides with MRDI's 25th anniversary, and there are plans to
institutionalise such events on a regular basis in the future.















