Media professionals, academics and international experts are set to convene in the capital next month (May) for a major conference - aimed at examining the evolving challenges of journalism and charting a future course for the profession.
The Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, organised by Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), will be held on May 8-9 at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, bringing together more than 500 participants from home and abroad.
Announcing the event at a press briefing in Dhaka on Thursday, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman said the initiative comes at a critical juncture, as Bangladesh navigates a changing democratic landscape, where the role and responsibility of the media require renewed attention.
He noted that the conference is intended to create a platform for knowledge exchange, professional networking and collaboration, particularly by connecting local journalists with international experts. Participants from over 10 countries - including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal - are expected to attend the event.
The programme will feature 12 sessions with more than 20 speakers and discussants. These will include plenary discussions, thematic sessions, parallel tracks and master-classes - designed to encourage practical learning and cross-border exchange of experiences.
Key areas of focus will include investigative journalism, media accountability and self-regulation, access to information, digital newsroom transformation, data-driven reporting, gender equality, inclusion, and journalists' safety. Discussions will also address the ethical challenges posed by technological change and the growing crisis of public trust in the media.
Organisers said special focus will be given on strengthening public-interest journalism and fostering more inclusive newsrooms, particularly by enhancing women's participation.
A number of prominent international media figures are expected to join the conference, including Michael Cooke, former editor of the Toronto Star; investigative journalist and filmmaker Julian Sher; Zafar Abbas, editor of Pakistan's Dawn; and Kunda Dixit of Nepali Times, among others.
In addition to formal sessions, four dedicated help desks will be set up at the venue, covering investigative journalism, right to information, fact-checking, and mental health support for journalists.
The conference coincides with MRDI's 25th anniversary, with the organisation expressing plans to institutionalise such gatherings on a biennial basis to strengthen Bangladesh's journalism ecosystem and enhance its global engagement.
Registration will open through a dedicated online platform, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to final selection by the organisers.
Journalists, researchers, teachers, students, development practitioners, and civil society representatives will be eligible to apply, while students will be required to complete an MRDI online basic journalism course.
The organisers will also offer fellowships to 15 journalists from outside Dhaka, providing mentorship and, where necessary, financial support for approved story projects.
The conference is being supported by several international partners, including the Global Investigative Journalism Network, Transparency International Bangladesh, and the Swedish government as knowledge partners. The BALLOT programme, a joint initiative of UNESCO and the United Nations, will serve as the platinum partner.
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