International Media Support (IMS) and Digitally Right Limited have launched a four-day media viability training programme in the capital on Monday to assist mainstream and emerging independent media outlets in building sustainable business models.
The initiative is supported by the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh. Inaugurating the first session, Anders B. Karlsen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Denmark, emphasised the importance of media sustainability in ensuring smooth operations, which ultimately fosters democracy and accountability.
The workshop is structured into two batches of two-day sessions, involving 14 journalists and media executives from nine national outlets. Facilitated by Danny Yong, IMS Media Business Advisor for Asia, the curriculum focuses on marketing strategies, value proposition design, business planning, and environmental mapping.
Participants are also engaging in practical exercises to design audience-specific products to navigate a global landscape increasingly dominated by social media. “The media space is highly competitive, and the ecosystem is changing rapidly,” Yong noted, stressing the necessity for media houses to develop proper action plans.
Shakawat Hossain, IMS Programme Manager for Bangladesh, stated that the organisation has sought to address business viability since starting operations in the country.
He added that IMS also supports media reform, safety, and independent media tracks, with plans to coach local outlets following this training. Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Digitally Right Limited, remarked that the collaboration aims to identify models specifically suited to the Bangladeshi context.
Key participants include Shaveena Anam and Tanim Ahmed (The Daily Star); Shawkat Hossain Masum and Md. Selim Uddin (Prothom Alo); Nurun Nobi Shakil and Md. Mushfiqul Alam Opee (The Business Standard); Ariful Islam Arman (Dhaka Post); Md. Shah Alam (BDnews24.com); Waliur Rahman Miraz (Star News); Md. Tawhidul Islam and Rubel Mahmood (Jamuna Television); SM Minhazur Rahman (Dhaka Stream); Sairas Rahman (Times of Bangladesh); and Rezaul Sheikh Raj (Agamir Shomoy).
