Same faces repeatedly selected, young journalists left out: Protest in Gaibandha over Press Council training programme
Gaibandha Correspondent
A group of young and field-level journalists staged a protest in Gaibandha, alleging that they have repeatedly been deprived of opportunities to participate in journalism training programs organized by the Bangladesh Press Council. They claimed that the same individuals have been included in such programs year after year, while many active and aspiring journalists continue to be excluded.
The protesters held a demonstration and sit-in in front of the Gaibandha Circuit House on Wednesday. The program was later withdrawn following assurances from the Deputy Commissioner.
According to sources, the Bangladesh Press Council organized a training workshop titled “The Importance of Implementing Laws, Rules, and Regulations Related to the Rights and Professional Responsibilities of Media Workers for Ensuring Professionalism in Journalism” at the conference room of the Gaibandha Circuit House. The event was arranged with the cooperation of the district administration and the District Information Office.
The chief guest at the program was Justice A.K.M. Abdul Hakim, Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council. The event was chaired by Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman. Superintendent of Police Md. Jasim Uddin attended as a special guest, while Bangladesh Press Council Secretary (Joint Secretary) Md. Abdus Sabur served as the resource person.
The protesting journalists alleged that transparency and merit were not properly considered in preparing the list of participants. They claimed that several senior journalists had been given opportunities multiple times, whereas many young and active field reporters were once again left out.
They further alleged that the participant list included multiple members of the same family, administrators of social media-based pages, and individuals primarily engaged in professions other than journalism.
The protesters noted that such concerns were not new. Similar protests had taken place in 2024 over the selection process for training participants. They claimed that despite those objections, the same practices had continued, prompting them to return to the streets.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman visited the spot and listened to the concerns raised by the journalists. He assured them that greater priority would be given to young, emerging, and actively working journalists in future training programs.
Following the Deputy Commissioner’s assurances, the protesters withdrew their demonstration.
