COX'S BAZAR, Jan 22: A two-day training workshop on election-time journalism for media professionals concluded in Cox's Bazar on Thursday, with speakers urging journalists to uphold responsibility and professionalism in news reporting during the polls.
The workshop, titled "Training Workshop on Election-time Journalism," was jointly organised by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and the Journalists' Union Cox's Bazar. The concluding session was held at the Cox's Bazar District Council auditorium on Thursday afternoon.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
More than a hundred journalists from print, electronic and online media outlets of the district participated in the workshop.
Addressing the programme, the deputy commissioner described the training as timely and important, saying that the administration has already completed overall preparations ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum.
"Our election management mechanism will become more dynamic and effective with responsible cooperation from journalists," he said.
He added that the election is meant for the people, noting that while administrative officials may come from outside, journalists are locals who will continue to live in the area.
"Your role is extremely important in maintaining peace, discipline and a democratic environment," he said.
Seeking journalists' cooperation to ensure that Cox's Bazar does not earn a bad name, the deputy commissioner said the country has now entered a well-organised electoral phase after overcoming long-standing confusion and uncertainty surrounding elections.
He said the administration is fully prepared to hold a free, fair and acceptable election at 598 polling centres across the district's four parliamentary constituencies.
Urging journalists to maintain responsibility and professionalism in reporting, he cautioned that exaggerating minor or isolated incidents could sometimes do more harm than good.
He also called for collective efforts, including from journalists, to present Cox's Bazar as a "model election" district.
Highlighting the dangers of misinformation and rumours, the deputy commissioner urged journalists to remain vigilant.
"If you come across any misleading information, I request you to directly contact the deputy commissioner's office," he said.
Among others, Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Majedur Rahman, District Council Secretary Al Maruf, course coordinator Sahanwar Saeed Shaheen, Journalists' Union Cox's Bazar president Nurul Islam Helali, and Cox's Bazar Press Club editor Momtaj Uddin Bahari also spoke at the event.
