Legal experts, development partners, and media professionals on Thursday called on journalists to actively monitor and report on the implementation of judicial reforms to ensure transparency and uphold the independence of the judiciary.
The call came during a mobile journalism bootcamp held at the National Institute of Mass Communication in the capital Dhaka, where participants were trained in digital reporting techniques with a focus on legal and institutional accountability.
Addressing the event, Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan emphasised the judiciary鈥檚 commitment to implementing Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed鈥檚 wide-ranging reform road map.
The initiative, launched in early 2024, seeks to strengthen independence, transparency, and efficiency of the judiciary through institutional restructuring and policy reforms.
Key components of the road map include the revival of the Supreme Judicial Council, proposals for a separate judicial secretariat, a transfer and posting framework for subordinate court judges, the creation of a Judicial Appointment Council for the Supreme Court, a 12-point directive aimed at improving judicial service delivery, and the introduction of a Supreme Court helpline to enhance public access to justice.
鈥楾hese initiatives are not symbolic鈥攖hey represent a systemic effort to institutionalise reforms and rebuild public trust in the judiciary,鈥� Aziz said.
Development partners underscored the media鈥檚 vital role in tracking the reforms and promoting civic awareness.
Maria Stridsman, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, urged journalists to serve as watchdogs of the reform process. 鈥楾he media must ensure that power is held to account, corruption is exposed, and citizens remain informed. You are essential to translating legal reform into public understanding and confidence,鈥� she said.
UNDP鈥檚 Senior Rule of Law, Justice, and Security Adviser, Romana Schweiger, described judicial reform as foundational to broader democratic governance. 鈥楾he judiciary anchors all other reforms and without a strong and independent judiciary, no reform can truly take root,鈥� she said, adding that journalists must remain vigilant in evaluating the legitimacy and progress of these efforts.
Dragan Popovic, Director of UNDP鈥檚 training programme, highlighted the importance of public engagement. 鈥楯ustice must not only be done鈥攊t must be seen to be done and journalists have a responsibility to show how justice is delivered, and where it falls short,鈥� he stated.
The bootcamp trained 40 journalists from print and digital platforms. Sessions were conducted by Daffodil International University associate professor Kabil Khan Jamil and Bangladesh Times鈥� Mobile Journalism Editor-in-Chief Sabbir Ahmed.
The event was organised by national institute of mass communication and supported by Embassy of Sweden, Supreme Court and UNDP at the institute鈥檚 office in Dhaka.
NIMC director general and additional secretary Md Kawser Ahammed presided over the programme.
Key speakers included UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Huq, UNDP Head of Communications Md Abdul Quayyum, and NIMC Director (Training) Md Maruf Nawaz.
The programme was moderated by NIMC Assistant Director (TV Programmes) Tanjim Tamanna.
