Journalists can play a crucial role in breaking human trafficking networks and raising public awareness against such crimes, said former chief of the Special Branch (SB) of Bangladesh Police former Additional Inspector General of Police Md Shah Alam on Monday.
He made the remarks while addressing a skill development workshop for journalists held at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) in the capital.
The workshop was jointly organised by CRAB under the project titled “Mass Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking and People Smuggling,” implemented by BRAC with support from the Australian government.
Gallery Cosmos workshop on Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate concludes
In his speech, Md Shah Alam said organised crimes like human trafficking severely harm ordinary people, while the state also suffers greatly due to related crimes such as hundi and money laundering.
He stressed that journalists can significantly contribute to dismantling these criminal networks by exposing their activities and informing the public.
BRAC Associate Director Shariful Hasan highlighted various aspects and the severity of human trafficking, people smuggling and irregular migration.
He explained how many Bangladeshi workers fall victim to brokers and fraudulent intermediaries while attempting to migrate abroad, often putting their lives at risk.
Shariful Hasan urged journalists to give greater importance to these issues in the media to help prevent trafficking and exploitation.
Acting Editor of Ajker Patrika Kamrul Hasan, in his speech, emphasised the importance of sensitivity while reporting on issues such as migration and human trafficking.
He said journalists should go deeper into stories to uncover trafficking networks.
CRAB General Secretary MM Badshah and Coordinator of BRAC Migration Programme Harun Or Rashid also spoke at the workshop.
They highlighted the need for coordinated efforts between journalists and development organisations to combat such crimes effectively.
A total of 65 CRAB members working in various national media outlets participated in the workshop, sharing their experiences on the challenges and prospects of investigative reporting in preventing trafficking.