Training on Liberation War reporting held in capital

A day-long workshop aimed at enhancing journalists’ skills on Liberation War reporting was held at the Liberation War Museum in the capital on Wednesday.

The workshop – titled “Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award: A Workshop for Young Journalists on Enhancing Skills and Sharing Experiences in Reporting on the Liberation War” – was also aimed at promoting research-based journalism, and facilitating the exchange of professional experiences.

The workshop featured discussions and training sessions on preserving the history and spirit of the Liberation War, collecting historical information and documents, fact-checking, assessing newsworthiness, editing, research-based reporting, and field journalism.

Experienced journalists, researchers, and representatives of the Liberation War Museum took part in the programme.

At the event, Dr Sarwar Ali, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, called on journalists to play an important role in preserving the history and spirit of the Liberation War.

He said that the history of the Liberation War should not remain confined to exhibits in museums. Rather, research, regular public programmes, and fact-based journalism are essential to bringing this history to a wider audience, he said.

He further said that in the face of misinformation and contesting arguments surrounding historical events, it is essential to present the actual history of the Liberation War, the background to Bangladesh’s independence, and the contributions of different individuals and institutions based on evidence and documented facts.

He noted that journalists’ responsibilities extend beyond reporting events. They must verify historical facts, investigate authentic documents, and present an accurate account of the Liberation War to the public. He stressed that this responsibility must be shared collectively.

Dr Sarwar Ali also emphasised the need to accurately document the atrocities of the Liberation War, the sacrifices made by the people, the role of the Mujibnagar Government, and the assistance provided by neighbouring countries.

Mofidul Hoque, also trustee and member secretary of the Liberation War Museum, urged young journalists to take a responsible role in preserving the history and spirit of the Liberation War and presenting it to new generations.

He said that the Liberation War is not merely an event of the past; its significance and relevance must be understood more deeply as time passes.

He expressed hope that the exchange of knowledge and experience between recipients of the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award and young journalists would further strengthen this field of journalism.

The first session of the workshop included exploring of the Liberation War Museum’s galleries, the opening programme, and a tribute to the late Dr Khairul Islam, a recipient of the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award.

A panel discussion featuring award recipients from print and electronic media was also held. The panellists were Azizul Parvez, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Partha Sanjoy, and Soma Islam. Journalist Sirajul Islam Abed moderated the discussion.