In an era of increasing digital threats, rights-based advocacy organization VOICE organized a day-long capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping journalists and human rights defenders with essential tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape.
Held at the NGO Forum for Public Health in Lalmatia, Dhaka, the event titled “Capacity Building Training Workshop on Digital Rights for Journalists and Human Rights Defenders” brought together media professionals, activists, and digital rights advocates. The workshop focused on digital safety and security, online freedom of expression, and the impact of internet shutdowns—issues increasingly vital in the face of growing cyber threats and shrinking civic spaces online.
Keynote speakers included S.M. Monjur Rashid, Senior Advisor for Communications at the UNDP’s Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme; Sharmin Khan, Legal Consultant at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL); and Reaz Ahmad, Acting Editor of the Dhaka Tribune. Each emphasized the urgent need for digital literacy, legal reform, and coordinated advocacy to protect digital rights in Bangladesh.
“There’s a significant digital divide that undermines safe online spaces,” said Reaz Ahmad, highlighting the dangers of misinformation. “When people share unverified content, it threatens the integrity of the digital ecosystem.”
Monjur Rashid called for collective action in the lead-up to national elections: “Students, activists, journalists, and development workers must work together to raise awareness and influence policymakers to prioritize digital rights in their electoral agendas.”
Sharmin Khan stressed aligning national laws with global human rights standards. “Legal frameworks must reflect the voices of laborers, grassroots communities, and marginalized groups. True digital justice is only possible through inclusive reform.”
The interactive sessions covered the foundations of digital rights, tools for digital security, implications of internet blackouts, and the broader landscape of online expression. Participants engaged in group work and open dialogues to share lived experiences and co-create strategies to counter emerging threats.
Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director of VOICE, delivered a keynote presentation mapping the intricate link between digital safety, freedom of expression, and access to information.
“Without a secure digital environment, freedom of expression is under threat,” said Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Executive Director of VOICE. “We must strengthen protections and hold platforms accountable to preserve our civil liberties online.”
The workshop concluded with a unified call to action: demand stronger legal safeguards, increase transparency from tech companies, and foster regional solidarity to protect digital rights and free expression in the digital age.
