Joining Forces: CSOs and Media for Accountability in Bangladesh

The project is based on the idea that effective collaboration between civil society and the media is essential to achieve social change and take a stance against legal obstruction. Together, media and civil society organisations (CSOs) can build powerful cases for greater accountability and advocacy: CSOs can share knowledge, research, and expertise with the media, and the media can generate greater awareness on CSO topics through its publications, which can then engage citizens across geographies and political lines.

The project is divided into two interlinked tracks: collaboration and capacity-building. The first track involves The Collaboration Lab, a three-year small grants project to foster alliances between Bangladeshi media outlets and CSOs. It seeks to promote collaboration on issues that are important and relevant to Bangladeshi citizens, stimulate the development of innovative solutions by providing financial assistance, and facilitate knowledge exchange and (mutual) learning.

Each round of grants is organised around a specific strategy. In the first round (2023), the alliances are asked to submit a proposal to set up an initiative focused on facilitating knowledge exchange and mutual learning between media and CSOs. Here, each alliance is encouraged to jointly produce packages focused on, e.g., improving knowledge and network sharing, collecting data and sources, conducting investigations, distributing stories, and working towards common goals. For example, CSOs working on gender-based violence could produce press packages with guidelines on how to reach out to victims, while the media could initiate a crash course on how CSOs could best pitch their stories.

The second track of activities is designed around a capacity-building package that includes training and coaching on issues such as digital security, gender and inclusion, internal governance, and internal systems and procedures. Each year, those participating in The Collaboration Lab receive coaching based on their specific needs. The goal here is to improve the level of professionalism, effectiveness, and sustainability of their operations, as well as to give them tools to comply with standards of donors needed to receive and keep funding.

Context:

The media landscape in Bangladesh is characterised by shrinking civil space and limited freedom of speech and access to information. Journalists also work in a hostile environment with attacks on journalists on the rise, often followed by complete impunity. In addition, legal harassment is a great concern. Through laws such as the Digital Security Act, installed in 2018, authorities have sought to control independent media and human rights defenders that show any public dissent or criticism of the government. In recent years, this problem has only gotten worse. In April 2023, Free Press Unlimited released a statement with ARTICLE 19 and IFEX to express concern about the legal harassment of journalists in Bangladesh and urged the authorities to take action.

Rationale for the project:

CSOs play an essential role in all societies, as they are an important source of information for citizens and decision-makers. They monitor policies and actions that impact civilians and promote accountability. They engage in advocacy and offer recommendations for sustainable solutions. They deliver essential services, defend human rights, and work to create social change where it is needed. The media can promote transparency and accountability by reporting on current events. It can act as a watchdog by exposing corruption and abuse. Journalists who provide accurate, balanced, and timely information that is of public interest and relevance make an essential contribution to informed decision-making.

Effective collaboration between the media and civil society sectors is essential to achieve social change. Together, they can build forceful cases for greater accountability and powerful advocacy. CSOs' activities can provide journalists with the opportunity to make abstract issues concrete and newsworthy. Media can generate awareness on CSO topics through its publications, which can engage citizens across geographies and political lines.