STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) will organise a two-day journalism conference in Dhaka next month, bringing together journalists, editors, researchers, civil society members, teachers, students and international experts to discuss challenges facing the profession and how to plan for its future.

The event, titled Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, will be held on May 8 and 9 at Hotel Radisson, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman said at a press conference at The Daily Star Centre yesterday.

“We want to create an opportunity for our journalists to learn from and connect with international experts,” said Hasibur.

The conference will feature 12 sessions and over 20 discussants, with more than 500 participants expected. Journalists and experts from more than 10 countries, including the US, the UK, India, Pakistan, and Canada, are also expected to join, he said.

The organisation aims to continue supporting objective, investigative and public-interest journalism. The conference will include plenary and thematic sessions, parallel tracks and masterclasses, offering opportunities for journalists to exchange experiences and learn from one another.

Registration will open on a dedicated microsite at 12:01am tomorrow. It will be first-come, first-served, but final selection will be made by the organisers.

Journalists working at local, national and international media outlets, including those based outside Bangladesh, will be eligible to register.

Teachers, researchers, fact-checkers, development partners, civil society members and MRDI alumni will also be able to apply. Students will need to complete MRDI’s online basic journalism course to participate. Those who score highest, within the limited number of seats, will be selected.