Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General (DG) Faruk Wasif today spoke at the PIB conference room in Gazipur. Photo: BSS

GAZIPUR, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General (DG) Faruk Wasif today said journalists must uphold the highest standards of professionalism during elections to help ensure a free, fair and credible electoral process

"Journalists play an indispensable role in conducting neutral and transparent elections," he said.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a two-day training workshop on election-time journalism for Gazipur-based journalists at the PIB conference room in Gazipur.

PIB DG said that the responsibility of the media during polls is not limited to reporting news alone. 

"Truth, neutrality and public interest must be prioritized to maintain public trust," he added.

He said the abolition of the caretaker government system had undermined political balance and damaged the country's electoral structure. 

"From the day the decision was passed, it became evident that fair elections in Bangladesh were at risk," he said.

The PIB DG said the absence of a caretaker government makes neutral elections impossible, warning that flawed electoral processes lead to political repression and the weakening of democratic institutions.

A total of 28 journalists from different print and electronic media outlets in Gazipur took part in the workshop.

Expressing hope, Faruk Wasif said the upcoming election must be free, fair and reflective of the people's will. 

"Otherwise, the country may once again fall into authoritarianism," he said.

Forming a government is not enough, he said, adding that it must not turn to a fascist one. 

"This time's referendum is important so that no government becomes a fascist," he said.

He also underscored the importance of strengthening journalists' fact-checking capacity in an era of widespread rumors and disinformation.

At the workshop, The Daily Star senior reporter Md Baharam Khan presented keynote papers on electoral laws, journalistic guidelines and codes of conduct for political parties and candidates.

Another session on fact-checking and combating misinformation and propaganda was conducted by Tahmid Islam, Executive of the Media Research Department of Bangla Fact. 

Participants were also briefed on issues related to journalists' physical and digital security.

PIB Training Coordinator and Researcher Siddik Faruk, Editor Ali Murtoza and others were present on the occasion.