A dialogue was held in Dhaka to explore the structure and operational framework for establishing a specialized Help Desk aimed at strengthening legal protection for journalists in Bangladesh. The event brought together leaders of journalist associations and representatives from legal service organizations, who discussed how the proposed Help Desk could function effectively. Participants welcomed the initiative as a timely and much-needed step to safeguard journalists and pledged their active cooperation in making the project a success.
Organized with support from the UNESCO Global Media Defence Fund, the program took place on Tuesday (29 April) at the Shafiqul Kabir Milon Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Mir Masruruzzaman, Executive Director of SoMaSHTe and Chief News Editor of Channel i, delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting the background, urgency, and potential impact of the Help Desk.
The dialogue was moderated by Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune, and featured contributions from Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ); Kader Gani Chowdhury, General Secretary, BFUJ; Md. Shahidul Islam, President, Dhaka Union of Journalists; Mainul Hasan Sohel, General Secretary, DRU; M. M. Badsha, General Secretary, Crime Reporters Association; Ilyas Hossain, Member Secretary, Broadcast Journalists Center; Nighat Seema, Deputy Director, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA); Md. Barkat Ali, Director (Legal), BLAST; and Advocate Sujoy Chowdhury of Ain Seba, among others.
Speakers emphasized that the Help Desk, once operational, could significantly contribute to building a safer and more secure working environment for journalists. Leaders of journalist associations reaffirmed their commitment to defending press freedom and human rights, stressing the importance of collaboration across affiliations to support journalists through the proposed mechanism. Legal experts expressed their willingness to provide legal assistance, guidance, and advocacy support through the Help Desk and affirmed their role as long-term allies in this effort.
As envisioned, the Help Desk would include representatives from both journalist associations and legal aid organizations. Journalists seeking legal assistance would have their information forwarded to appropriate legal service providers. In suitable cases, referrals would be made to district- or region-level legal aid bodies for further support.
Organizers also expressed hope that, once established, the Help Desk would evolve into a self-sustaining model driven by the active participation of journalist groups. This would help ensure a more secure, supportive, and professionally enabling environment for media workers.
In Bangladesh, journalists frequently face legal threats while reporting on issues such as human rights violations, corruption, land grabbing, or politically sensitive topics. The proposed Help Desk aims to address a critical gap by offering a rapid, responsive, and reliable legal support system. Next steps to operationalize the initiative will begin shortly, with the active involvement of journalist associations and legal aid organizations.