The Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) will organise a two-day journalism conference in Dhaka on May 8-9, 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 Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026 will be held at Radisson Blue Dhaka Water Garden hotel, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman announced at a press conference at The Daily Star Centre on Thursday.
He said the conference will feature 12 sessions and over 20 discussants, with more than 500 participants expected.
Journalists and experts from over 10 countries are also expected to join the event. The countries from which participation has so far been confirmed include India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal apart from Bangladesh.
Hasibur Rahman said the MRDI wants to hold the conference every two years and hopes such journalism conferences can be organised in Bangladesh in a structured way.
It will 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 on ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, 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 Rahman also announced fellowship opportunities for 15 journalists from outside Dhaka where applicants will have to submit story ideas in advance, and fellows will be selected through evaluation, adding that they will receive mentorship support from the MRDI.
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.