With the Draft Policy on “DIU 2023 Declaration: Advancing Local and Regional Media for a Sustainable Future,” the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference, jointly organised by the Department of Journalism, Media & Communication at Daffodil International University and DW Akademie, concluded on Sunday.
The two-day conference was held at Daffodil International University’s permanent campus in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar on the 28th and 29th of October.
The draft policy presentation session was chaired by Dr Golam Rahman, Professor at DIU and the Chief Patron of the conference. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Associate Professor, Begum Royeka University, Rangpur, joined as the Co-Chair and Aftab Hossain, Co-convener of the conference, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, DIU were present in the hybrid session.
Faruque Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting joined the policy presentation as the chief guest. “It is imperative for newspapers and media outlets to enhance their vigilance and online presence. I believe the government will spare no effort to bring them to fruition. It necessitates a collective commitment from all stakeholders," he stated.
Amid the political unrest in the country, a multitude of esteemed guests took part in the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference 2023 through a hybrid arrangement on the second day, while around 70 delegates from different universities, media houses, and organisations of the country have joined in the conference the first day at DIU campus.
A Plenary Session on “Quality Journalism and Revenue: Engaging the Next Generation in Journalism Education and the Profession” was moderated by Kazi M Anisul Islam, Assistant Professor and Chairman, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Cumilla University.
On Saturday, the conference opened with the welcome remarks of Professor Dr Liza Sharmin, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, DIU. Chief Guest of the conference was Professor Dr M Lutfar Rahman, Vice-Chancellor, DIU, who said, “We organise numerous conferences and workshops every year, enriching our students and professionals. We will ensure that the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference becomes the most successful one.”
TDr Md Abdul Kabil Khan, Associate Professor, Dept of JMC, DIU and Convener of the conference, said, "It is a pleasure to arrange the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference here at Daffodil International University. Your enthusiastic participation will make this year's CJEN as successful as the previous seven editions of this prestigious conference."
Priya Esselborn, Programme Director Bangladesh, DW Akademie delivered the speech on behalf of DW Akademie. Shahed Mohammad Ali, Editor of the Daily Kaler Kantho delivered the keynote speech afterwards, which highlighted the struggling period of local online news portals due to insufficient advertising in his presentation.
Two plenary sessions and one stakeholders’ workshop titled “Understanding the Landscape of Local and Regional Media;” “Exploring Innovative Business Models for Bangladeshi Local Media;” and “Quality Journalism and Revenue: Engaging Future Journalists in Journalism Education and Professionalism” were parts of the opening day’s session. Additionally, a workshop for students was conducted on social media storytelling by Dr Md Abdul Kabil Khan.
The theme of the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference was “Ensuring Economic Sustainability for Local and Regional Mass Media in Bangladesh.”