Unesco, UNDP jointly organized workshop on self-regulation in media

Unesco Dhaka Office and UNDP Bangladesh jointly conducted a two-day capacity-building workshop on self-regulation in media: Fostering an Environment for a Free Press and Pluralistic Media in Bangladesh at Drik Gallery on Tuesday and Wednesday. Convening more than 30 high-level stakeholders in the media landscape- newsroom editors, senior journalists, civil society organizations (CSOs), academics,

Unesco Dhaka Office and UNDP Bangladesh jointly conducted a two-day capacity-building workshop on self-regulation in media: Fostering an Environment for a Free Press and Pluralistic Media in Bangladesh at Drik Gallery on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Throughout the two days, the workshop covered key topics on international and national standards relating to freedom of expression, key differences between self-regulatory systems based on ethical principles and statutory regulation, barriers faced by women media workers, and challenges and opportunities for implementing self-regulation for journalists and newsrooms in Bangladesh’s media landscape.

Dr Juan (Joan) Barata Mir, professor of Communication Law, Blanquerna Communication School, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona; Mehdi Benchelah, head of Rule of Law,  Freedom of Expression Section, Unesco Headquarters, Paris; Hasibur Rahman, executive director, MRDI; Lena Fox, Section of Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists Unesco Headquarters in Paris and Reaz Ahmad, acting editor, Dhaka Tribune facilitated the sessions.

This workshop is the first initiative building on the Unesco-UNDP Media Assessment of Bangladesh’s media landscape, which was conducted in the context of the political transition in Bangladesh, which highlighted self-regulation as a key area for strengthening the Bangladeshi media landscape.

Adhering to shared ethical journalistic standards protects media independence and fosters public trust. Collective commitment to ethical codes strengthens accountability and journalistic quality, which in turn builds confidence in media institutions and contributes to an independent, impartial, and credible media environment.

During the brief inauguration ceremony, Paola Castro Neiderstam, first secretary, Program Specialist - Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality, Embassy of Sweden in Banglades,h said: ‘‘Self-regulation also promotes professional responsibility, deters sensationalism, and provides mechanisms for addressing public complaints. When media outlets hold themselves to high standards, they contribute to a more informed public and a healthier, more balanced media landscape.’’

While chairing the opening ceremony Dr Susan Vize, head of office and Unesco Representative to Bangladesh, shared: “This needs assessment and workshop today is an opportunity to shape self-regulation with new, independent, pluralism, inclusive, and ethical. I hope these discussions contribute to the formulation of a shared media charter or ethical guidelines which helps to build public trust and elevate the media landscape in Bangladesh.’’

Anowarul Haq, assistant resident representative at UNDP Bangladesh, mentioned: “We believe that the media must remain a trusted source of information and a cornerstone of democratic values as the fourth pillar. Without that, we cannot build a society grounded in ethics, integrity, inclusion and shared values.”

“We all know that Bangladesh is now passing through a political and democratic transition. We believe the media sector should play a vital role in reflecting the aspirations of the society especially by raising the voices of women, minorities, and others who have not yet been heard in the reform process” Sohel Ibn Ali, senior program manager, specialist in Governance and Human Rights, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, stated such during his opening remarks.

Journalists, when free to investigate, analyze, and diffuse news, are essential for strengthening the implementation of policies in the areas of good governance, democracy, and human rights (including gender equality, democratic principles, and the rule of law).

This initiative is supported by Unesco through the Multi-Donor Program on Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists, and by UNDP under the Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project, funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh.