Press Release
Dhaka, 12 April 2026: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has organised a three-day residential training workshop titled "Advancing Investigative Journalism: Capacity Building Training for Media Professionals in the Energy Sector" for members of the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB), with the aim of enhancing the conceptual and ethical understanding of journalists working in the energy sector on governance, transparency, and accountability, and strengthening their professional skills in investigative journalism. The core objective of this training was to enable participants to develop a clear understanding of governance gaps, corruption-prone areas, and issues related to policy frameworks, project approval and implementation, accountability, and information transparency in Bangladesh's power and energy sector, particularly in the renewable energy segment, so as to make their investigative reporting more effective, impactful, and public-oriented.
At the closing session of the training, commenting that the transition to renewable energy in Bangladesh is not progressing at the expected pace, TIB's Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, ‘One of the key reasons for this is that the entire sector has now come under policy capture through the fossil fuel lobby. The most effective force to overcome this situation is the media. The more evidence-based investigative reporting appears in the media, the easier it will be to ensure transparency and accountability.’
More than 20 FERB members participated in this residential training, held from 10 to 12 April 2026 at the BRAC Centre for Development Management (CDM), Rajendrapur. The training covered multifaceted topics on energy governance and investigative journalism including data journalism in the power and energy sector and sources and availability of information; the basics, tools, and techniques of investigative journalism and governance-related risk areas in energy sector reporting; Bangladesh's power and energy sector in global context and the need for renewable energy; the scope, barriers, and information integrity in energy sector reporting; and the use of various data analysis tools and methods of data representation. Group exercises and discussions were used to evaluate global practices and effective techniques for investigative reporting in the renewable energy sector.
In group work sessions, the participating journalists shared their professional experiences across various areas, including the approval process for renewable energy projects, foreign investment, land acquisition, environmental clearances, power purchase agreements, and opacity in information disclosure. Noting how deeply the training content was connected to their work, participants stated that limitations in access to information, institutional opacity, and a lack of specialised knowledge are hampering effective investigative journalism. Highlighting the indispensable role of independent, responsible, and public-oriented journalism in addressing these challenges, they called for collective efforts to broaden the scope of investigative reporting in the energy sector and to ensure information integrity.
The three-day training concluded with the distribution of certificates amongst the participants. On this occasion, the participating journalists shared their experiences from the training and expressed their gratitude to TIB. Addressing the participating journalists, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that a foremost objective of TIB is to strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders. He further said, ‘Media professionals are key stakeholders in TIB's fight against corruption. If we can make even the smallest contribution to enhancing your skills, that is a major achievement for us. This training is part of that very effort.’
Also present at the closing session were FERB Executive Director Serajul Islam Siraj and Vice Chairman Hasan Azad. The various sessions of the training were conducted by Mohd. Badruddoza, Head of Investigative Journalism, Help Desk, Media and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI); Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN); Kuntal Roy, Senior Associate, Information Integrity and Anti-Disinformation, Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC); and from TIB: Mohammad Tauhidul Islam, Director, Outreach and Communication; Md. Newazul Moula, Coordinator, Energy Governance; and Rifat Rahman, Assistant Coordinator, Outreach and Communication.
Media Contact:
Mohammad Tauhidul Islam
Director, Outreach and Communication
Phone: +8801713107868
Email: tauhidul@ti-bangladesh.org
