Stakeholders and policymakers on Sunday called for coordinated initiatives to rebuild public trust in media to ensure democratic accountability and freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
Marking World Press Freedom Day 2026, UNESCO and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised a high-level dialogue titled “Restoring Public Trust: Media Freedom and Democratic Accountability in Bangladesh” at the Meghmala Conference Room of the MIDAS Centre in the capital.
Addressing the event as chief guest Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Affairs, emphasised the necessity of a supportive environment for the media to strengthen democratic accountability.
“A credible and independent media environment is essential for evidence-based public discourse and an accountable governance system,” he said.
Zahed further stressed the need for continuous cooperation between the government, media, civil society, and development partners to strengthen professional journalism, ensure the protection of journalists, and combat misinformation.
In his welcome remarks, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stated that public trust in the media is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance.
He underscored that independent media, and the safety of journalists are vital for ensuring transparency and accountability.
Susan Vize, UNESCO representative to Bangladesh, noted in her opening remarks that an independent and pluralistic media ensures informed public debate.
She remarked that ensuring the safety of journalists and maintaining a reliable flow of information is more critical than ever given the complexities of current information trends.
The event also featured speeches from HE Dr Rüdiger Lotz, ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, and Paola Castro Niederstam, first secretary (Human Rights, Democracy, and Gender Equality) at the Embassy of Sweden.
A panel discussion, moderated by Iftekharuzzaman, included Kamal Ahmed, consulting editor of The Daily Star; Reaz Ahmad, editor of Dhaka Tribune; Shahnaz Munni, senior television journalist; and Fahim Ahmed, chairman of the Broadcast Journalists Centre.
The participants identified political and economic influences, safety risks for journalists, and the spread of fake news and disinformation on digital platforms as the primary reasons for the decline in public trust in the media.
Reflecting on recent UNESCO analyses, the speakers called for strengthening editorial independence, improving professional standards, and increasing media and information literacy.
They also urged for more effective coordination between the government, media houses, and civil society to address structural and emerging challenges in the sector.
World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on 3 May, as declared by the UN General Assembly, to celebrate the principles of press freedom and to honour journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
