Influence of Capacity building of Journalists and CSOs through Workshops and Training titled ‘Dialogue with Media: Energy Transition Policy and Energy Charter Treaty,’ was held on Thursday, 30 June 2022, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Banglamator (Hall# 605, Lift 6, 7th Floor) Dhaka.
For the Energy sector, capacity-building training for national and local journalists on the position paper based on the (ECT) and the Energy Transition policy (ETP) are conducted generally. There were 40 journalists from Dhaka and outside Dhaka from the Energy beat of print, electronic, and online media. Three journalists attended from Khulna, Maheshkhali, and Kalapara in Patuakhali. Discussions also took place. A total of 55 people participated. Out of these, 40 journalists attended training sessions across the country in national print media, electronics, and online media. There were 02 speakers, 01 moderators, 02 ActionAid representatives, 05 CAB Representatives, and 03 volunteers [From Green Voice (2) and Daffodil International University (1)], 02 photographers and video man, 14 Print Media journalists, 16 Electronics media journalists, 10 Online Media journalists, 50 Male participants, 05 Female participants. The total number of reports for this program was 10, including two for print media, one for electronic media, and seven for online news. Some of the media names who were present- Kalerkantho, Daily Ittefaq, Daily Samakal, ProthomAlo, Daily Sangbad, Jugantor, BanikBarta, Daily Star, Janakantha, Daily Sun, the channel I, News 24, Banglavision, NTV, ATN Bangla, ATN News, Jamuna TV, Channel 24, Maasranga Tv, NTV, Somoy TV, 71 TV, VoktaKantho, Green Voice, UNB, etc.
The dialogue took place in three phases: the first, the second, and the conclusion.
The training’s goal was to familiarize participants with the concept of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and Energy Transition Policy, as well as how to lobby and share the roles of journalists as a lobby group in the energy sector to write about it in depth.
Prof. Dr. M Shamsul Alam and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tanziumuddin Khan developed two presentations on the ETP and another on the position paper based on the ECT.
In the first session, the Energy specialist and senior vice-president of CAB, Prof. Dr. M. Shamsul Alam, presented the ‘CAB’s proposed Energy Transition Policy. He described how good governance is damaged in our energy sector through predatory spending information and details how consumer rights continue to be undermined. As a result, he gives. To establish good governance in the energy sector, protect consumers’ energy rights, and prevent unfair trade 11-point reform proposal of CAB in the electricity sector and similarly 25-point reform proposal in the gas sector. As a result of this energy transition, fossil fuels will be replaced with renewable Energy. The enforcement of consumer rights will be difficult if good governance is not ensured along the way, he points out.
The journalists from print, electronic, and online media participated in the dialogue. These individuals provided their opinions, observations, and recommendations. They are concerned about how the transition to renewable energy will benefit consumers. It was discussed that there is a lack of good governance in the energy sector. As they express their concern about whether or not the switch from fossil fuels to renewable Energy will be cost-effective for the people of this country, they question whether it will be public-friendly. Professor Dr. M. Shamsul Alam initiated the dialogue after discussing it with the journalists. The conference stressed the importance of more active programs, research, and the pace of intellectual activity among journalists. They also discussed their opinions, observations, and recommendations.
The second part of the discussion, titled “Energy Charter Treaty and the energy sector of Bangladesh: what will protect the public interest,” was Presented by Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, professor of International Relations, Department of Dhaka University.
As part of his explanation, he described the context of the ECT. He highlighted several aspects. He discussed the impact of this international agreement in different countries. How to endanger the country’s sovereignty and security in the name of protecting foreign investment in this agreement in Bangladesh?
At the end of the program, journalists questioned various aspects of the agreement for the query. Particular emphasis is placed on more periodic discussions that made other stakeholders aware of them, giving Energy Reporters Forum President and General Secretary CAB jointly on this issue Expressed interest in organizing conferences, symposiums, and workshops. The event news was published on the online multimedia platform of CAB Voktakantho’s Facebook website and page.