South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID) has taken initiative to piloting a project to promote media Literacy in Secondary Level (15+) students of Dhaka City. To make this project more effective and contextualizing the idea of Media Literacy in Bangladesh, Free Press Unlimited has supported SACMID to organize a workshop for SACMID staff, Academics and School Teacher on 15th-18th April, 2018 at SACMID office.
The training has the purpose to clarify the concept of media literacy in its complexity and multiple aspects and give examples of successful pilot programs for schools (for children and youth). The training also addressed issues of responsibility of media as the producing end to ensure and safeguard journalistic principles for quality and reliable information (among others, fact-checking and verification, sourcing etc).
Besides Media Literacy Expert of Netherlands Ms. Esther Van Rijswijk and Program Manager of South and South East Asia Ms. Dessi Damianova, and SACMID’s staffs, Professor Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal from University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Md Sanwar Uddin ,Head Teacher from Bashbari Adorsha High School, Gazipur and Mr. Amar Chandra Sarkar, Head Teacher from Bason Toijuddin High School, Gazipur were present from 1st day of workshop. Member Secretary of SACMID Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman was also present as special guest on First day of workshop.
On first day Media Literacy Specialist Ms. Esthar discussed on Competency model of Media Literacy from Netherlands. On second day she has explained some examples from Netherlands of successful projects, tools, teaching material on media literacy referring examples from Bangladesh. On afternoon session senior specialist of Bangladesh Text Book Board Syed Mahfooz Ali joined in workshop and SACMID shared the idea of the project and its possible intervention with baseline survey on Media Literacy from 10 schools with him. On 3rd and 4th day, the main objective of workshop was, setting the stage for a pilot project on media literacy project in Bangladesh regarding goals, target group, trends and facts to be considered.
SACMID is very grateful to all participants, stakeholders, food partner, logistic provider and Free Press Unlimited, also specially to Bangladesh Text Book Board to make this event successful.