Introduction: Freedom of opinion and expression, unfettered access to information and freedom of the media are perhaps some of the most efficient tools of combating human rights violations in a country while Bangladesh continues to be held back by a poor human security situation, rights abuses and a culture of impunity. During the past two years, human rights defenders within Bangladesh, watchdogs Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as foreign governments have documented countless rights infringements. Most commonly reported are cross fire, allegation of deaths in police custody, attacks on journalists, disappearance, killings along the Bangladesh-India border, Illegal fatwa, verdict of BDR mutiny trial and threats on human rights defenders, and social activists. Protection of human rights and improved governance, one of three focal points of the 2007-2013 European Commission (EC) Strategy Paper for Bangladesh (ESP), remain key to human, economic and political development in the country.

Relief International and Democracy watch has been partnered to enhance the culture of effective human rights reporting at grass roots and national levels. Establishment of National Network of Concerned Journalists (NNCJ) is the major and crucial activity interlinked with every other activity of European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights funded Transparency for Human Rights project in Bangladesh. Under this component there will be an association comprised of 5 members in 20 districts. The members of this association will be selected on application process and expressing their interest in the letter of interest. Those who would be considered as a member of this association will undergo an organizational and programmatic support including Training of Trainers (ToT), organization management, objective media and human rights reporting, constitutional settings etc which will reinforce their professional expertise in the relevant area and offer opportunities to review challenges, lesson learned and foster technical knowledge. From among the participants in the training, some few champions will be selected who will be the recipients of the mini-awards and conduct four (4) larger ToTs for 80 NNCJ members in every three months later.

Objective of the action: To strengthen the capacity of Bangladeshi media through the establishment and capacity building of a national network of journalists so that they can act as an ally to the victims of rights violation.

Activities:

1. To organize bimonthly meetings to discuss about the progress of the organization and of activities undertaken with the guidance of RI;
2. To brainstorm innovative solutions for human rights promotion by the media;
3. NNCJ members will increase the membership base of the organization through out the duration of the programme;
4. Formulate the proposals for their workshops to be conducted with the mini-grants through seeking partnership with support from local Civil Society Organization (CSOs);
5. Contribute to pairing the journalists from rural areas with journalists from major media outlets;
6. NNCJ members with the collaboration of RI will develop media monitoring mechanism to identify and document human rights abuses and success stories;
7. The NNCJ with support from RI will publish and disseminate quarterly newsletters (in Bengali and English) on activities and issues related to human rights in the target districts;
8. Assist in implementing some other educational activities including Radio Talk Show, Respect Human Rights Regional Roundtables, Transparency for Human Rights Mini-conference and Awards, Media Monitoring etc

Benefits of the NNCJ establishment:

1. NNCJ members will gain improved knowledge and skills regarding journalism ethics;
2. NNCJ members will have an independent platform to recognize and report on human rights violations;
3. Vulnerable groups in their locality will be addressed through their representation in national and international level with the implication of ICT resources;
4. NNCJ members will be able to strengthen their network and facilitate the process of access to information through reporting in the web portal;
5. Successful members will be given momentum and award before a wide audience due to their dedication to the work of NNCJ;

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