Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) will organise a two-day journalism conference in Dhaka next month, bringing together journalists, editors, researchers, civil society members, teachers, students and international experts to discuss challenges facing the profession and how to plan for its future.
The event, titled Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, will be held on May 8 and 9 at Hotel Radisson, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman said at a press conference at The Daily Star Centre today.
“We want to create an opportunity for our journalists to learn from and connect with international experts,” Hasibur told reporters.
He said the initiative comes at a time when the country is going through a new democratic journey, where the proper role of the media needs to be highlighted.
The conference will feature 12 sessions and over 20 discussants, with more than 500 participants expected. Journalists and experts from more than 10 countries are also expected to join, he said.
Countries from which participation has so far been confirmed include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal.
Hasibur said the timing coincides with MRDI completing 25 years on May 5. He added that MRDI wants to hold the conference every two years and hopes such journalism conferences can be organised in Bangladesh in a structured way.
He said journalists in Bangladesh rarely get the chance to attend conferences of this kind, and the event is intended to build connections, exchanges and collaboration among participants.
The organisation aims to continue supporting objective, investigative and public-interest journalism while encouraging discussion on ethics amid technological change, declining public trust in media, accountability and inclusion, particularly of women.
The conference will include plenary and thematic sessions, parallel tracks and masterclasses, offering opportunities for journalists to exchange experiences and learn from one another.
Investigative journalism will be a priority, alongside discussions on media self-regulation, accountability, complaint resolution, an enabling environment for a free press, digital newsroom transformation, use of data, gender equality, inclusion, journalists’ safety, and stronger partnerships among media, academia and civil society.
MRDI will also set up four help desks at the venue on investigative journalism, right to information, fact-checking and mental health support.
Registration will open on a dedicated microsite at 12:01am tomorrow. It will be first-come, first-served, but final selection will be made by the organisers.
Journalists working at local, national and international media outlets, including those based outside Bangladesh, will be eligible to register. Teachers, researchers, fact-checkers, development partners, civil society members and MRDI alumni will also be able to apply.
Students will need to complete MRDI’s online basic journalism course to participate. Those who score highest, within the limited number of seats, will be selected.
Hasibur also announced fellowship opportunities for 15 journalists from outside Dhaka. Applicants will have to submit story ideas in advance, and fellows will be selected through evaluation, he said, adding that they will receive mentorship support from MRDI. If a newsroom considers reporting costs necessary for an approved story, MRDI will arrange those expenses.
He said fellows will get priority access to investigative journalism sessions and masterclasses.
Hasibur said the Global Investigative Journalism Network is the conference’s knowledge and strategic partner, while Transparency International Bangladesh and the Swedish government are knowledge partners.
He added that the BALLOT programme, a UNESCO and UN initiative, is the platinum partner. Other partners include Fojo Media Institute, IREX, Fondation Hirondelle, The Self Investigation, GFMD and Radisson.