Published: 17 November 2024
In an era where transparency and accountability are more crucial than ever, journalists stand as society's watchdogs, uncovering anomalies and exposing systemic corruption. Their role becomes even more vital in the legal reporting, where complex cases and judicial processes demand skilled interpretation and thorough investigation.
Recognizing this critical need, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) took a significant step forward by organizing an intensive training program for members of the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF). The day-long workshop, titled "Investigative Law Reporting: Skills and Techniques," brought together 25 dedicated court reporters at TIB's Dhaka office, aiming to enhance their investigative capabilities and strengthen their role in ensuring judicial transparency. This timely initiative addresses the growing demand for specialized journalism skills in legal reporting, particularly as cases become increasingly complex and public interest in judicial proceedings continues to rise.
Fostering Media Independence
"Politics has been making it hard for our media to work freely and independently," says Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, TIB’s Executive Director. He explained that for ensuring justice, court must be able to make decisions without political pressure. He added that, “How free journalists are to do their work depends a lot on how politicians and the government treat the media.” His words set the tone for the workshop designed to equip journalists with tools to navigate the complex landscape of legal reporting while maintaining investigative integrity.
The initiative comes at a crucial time when the role of independent journalism in ensuring judicial transparency has never been more critical. SRF President Mas Udur Rahman Raana highlighted this urgency, proposing a strategic partnership with TIB to address corruption within the judiciary. "We need to identify the challenges our reporters face at the Supreme Court and develop concrete strategies for reform," Raana emphasized.
Expert-Led Training Sessions
The workshop featured a carefully curated program led by industry veterans. Additional Attorney General Mr. Aneek Rushd Haque provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the judicial system, emphasizing the nuances crucial for accurate law reporting. Mohd. Badruddoza, Head of the Investigative Journalism Help Desk at MRDI, conducted sessions on both foundational investigative techniques and advanced storytelling methods specific to legal reporting.
Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, sharing real-world challenges and best practices from their experiences covering the Supreme Court. "We've gained not just knowledge, but confidence to tackle complex legal stories," said one participating reporter. "The techniques we learned will help us write more accurate and impactful stories about our courts." The General Secretary of SRF, Golam Rabbani positively mentioned that, “The vibrant exchange of knowledge and experiences marked a significant leap in empowering supreme court reporters to drive positive change through impactful reporting.”
Next Steps for Better Legal Reporting
This TIB-SRF has discussed about several future plans which will help to identify key challenges Supreme Court Reporters face in their daily work and its practical solutions to support the court reporters. It is hoped that out of this initial workshop TIB and SRF will be able to organize regular skill-building sessions and support journalists in publishing in-depth investigations.
"When journalists are better equipped, our judiciary system will be more transparent," commented SRF President Mas Udur Rahman Raana. "This partnership with TIB will help us achieve that goal. The success of this first workshop has opened doors for more future collaboration between journalists and anti-corruption activists, all working to build a more transparent legal system in Bangladesh.”
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman in his closing remarks highlighted the workshop's broader goals: "This is your stepping stone to better investigative reporting. We're excited to see how you'll use these skills to shine a light on issues that matter to our citizens."
