Staff Reporter:
Investigative journalism plays a pivotal role in promoting justice and reinforcing the rule of law, said Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana while addressing a workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of law reporters.
The day-long event, titled “Strengthening Investigative Journalism for Law Reporters,” was hosted at the National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) in Dhaka.
The initiative was jointly organised by NIMC in partnership with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Embassy of Sweden.
Speaking as the chief guest, Secretary Farzana underlined the essential contribution of law journalists in fostering transparency and accountability within the justice system.
“Investigative journalism is a cornerstone of democracy. It holds power to account, ensures transparency in legal proceedings, and boosts public trust in judicial institutions,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Md. Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, Registrar General of the Supreme Court, presented a detailed overview of recent judicial reforms.
Among the notable advancements he highlighted were the formation of a dedicated judicial secretariat, the reactivation of the Judicial Council, the introduction of a Supreme Court helpline, and the passage of a law governing judicial appointments.
UNDP Bangladesh Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Haque, attending as a special guest, emphasised the transformative power of investigative journalism.
“This form of journalism bridges the gap between citizens and policymakers, serving as a powerful tool to promote justice. UNDP is proud to support ongoing judicial reform efforts alongside the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Law,” he said.
Presiding over the workshop, NIMC Director General Muhammad Hiruzzaman, NDC, described journalists as agents of change. “Beyond reporting facts, journalists drive dialogue, accountability, and reform,” he remarked.
The interactive training sessions were coordinated by NIMC Assistant Director Tanzim Tamanna and covered a wide range of topics including legal storytelling, protection of sources, simplifying legal concepts for public understanding, and digital tools for evidence-based reporting.
Key facilitators included:
Romana Schwaiger, UNDP Senior Rule of Law Advisor
Muktadir Rashid, Special Correspondent, Outlook Bangla
Dr. Md. Saiful Alam Chowdhury, Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka
Julhas Alam, Bureau Chief, Associated Press (AP)
The workshop brought together reporters from the Law Reporters Forum, national and international journalists, and representatives from the Supreme Court and UNDP.
Also in attendance were NIMC Director Dr. Md. Maruf Nawaz, UNDP Head of Communications Abdul Kaiyum, and senior officials from NIMC, all of whom echoed the urgent need to empower journalists in the pursuit of truth and justice.
