The Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) is set to host a two-day journalism conference in Dhaka next month, aiming to bring together a diverse group of professionals including journalists, editors, researchers, civil society members, educators, students, and international experts. The event, named the Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, is scheduled for May 8 and 9 at Hotel Radisson, as announced by MRDI’s Executive Director, Hasibur Rahman, during a press briefing at The Daily Star Centre.
Rahman expressed the organization’s goal of providing a platform for local journalists to interact with and learn from global experts. The timing of the conference is significant as Bangladesh is undergoing a new democratic phase, emphasizing the crucial role of media in society.
The conference is expected to host 12 sessions with over 20 speakers, anticipating over 500 attendees from various countries. Confirmed participating nations include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
MRDI, celebrating its 25th anniversary on May 5, plans to hold the conference biennially to promote structured journalism events in Bangladesh. The initiative aims to foster connections, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among participants, emphasizing the importance of objective, investigative, and public-interest journalism.
The conference will encompass plenary sessions, thematic discussions, parallel tracks, and masterclasses, offering opportunities for journalists to share experiences and enhance skills. Key topics will include investigative journalism, media ethics, accountability, digital transformation, data utilization, gender equality, journalists’ safety, and building stronger partnerships within the media industry and beyond.
To support attendees, MRDI will establish help desks focusing on investigative journalism, fact-checking, right to information, and mental health assistance at the venue. Registration for the conference will commence on a dedicated website at 12:01 am tomorrow, following a first-come, first-served basis for eligibility, with final selections made by the organizers.
Journalists from local and international media outlets, educators, researchers, fact-checkers, civil society members, and MRDI alumni are encouraged to apply. Students must complete MRDI’s online basic journalism course, with selection based on performance and available seats.
MRDI also announced fellowship opportunities for 15 journalists outside Dhaka, with applicants required to submit story proposals for evaluation. Fellowship recipients will receive mentorship and financial support for approved stories, with priority access to investigative journalism sessions and masterclasses.
The Global Investigative Journalism Network is a strategic partner for the conference, alongside Transparency International Bangladesh and the Swedish government as knowledge partners. The BALLOT program, supported by UNESCO and the UN, serves as the platinum partner, with additional collaborations from Fojo Media Institute, IREX, Fondation Hirondelle, The Self Investigation, GFMD, and Radisson.
