Abu sayem, Cox`s bazar: Two-day training workshop on election-time journalism has begun in Cox`s Bazar.PIB Director General Faruk Wasif inaugurated the training workshop as the chief guest at the Cox`s Bazar Zila Parishad auditorium on Wednesday (January 21) morning. He shed light on the topic `Referendum and National Assembly Election 2026: Government, Administration and Predatory Journalism`.Faruk Wasif said, "Predatory and broker journalism has repeatedly tarnished the country`s achievements. Now, attempts to create misleading narratives have begun again, which can question democracy and elections."

He complained that the political balance and electoral system have been destroyed by abolishing the caretaker government system. The day this decision was passed, it became clear that elections would no longer be held in Bangladesh.
It is absolutely clear that there will be no fair elections without a caretaker government. This means that since there will be no elections, political parties will be suppressed and destroyed.

Faruk Wasif also said, "This year`s election will be fair and impartial and will reflect the true public opinion. Otherwise, we will fall into the clutches of fascism again."

This referendum is important to ensure that the government does not become fascist, not just by forming it.
He also commented that it is important for journalists to improve their information verification skills in an era of rumors and propaganda.

On the first day of the training workshop, Sharmin Rinvi, an election reporting expert and former president of ERF, conducted sessions on election laws, guidelines for journalists, and codes of conduct for political parties and candidates as a trainer.
Besides, PIB trainer Sahanwar Saeed Shaheen was in charge of the coordinator. Senior journalist Khawaja Main Uddin was present.Nurul Islam Helali, President of the Cox`s Bazar Union of Journalists, and Momtaz Uddin Bahari, General Secretary of the Cox`s Bazar Press Club, delivered welcome speeches at the inaugural ceremony.
PIB organized a workshop for district and upazila level journalists at two separate venues. More than a hundred journalists from the district`s print and electronic media participated in it.
The training workshop will conclude on Thursday. Cox`s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan will be present as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.