Blab AI
Bangladesh Media Roundtable Highlights Need for Structured AI Governance
On 6 April 2026, the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) and The Daily Star convened a roundtable in Dhaka, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The meeting brought together journalists, academics, media executives, and development partners to discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Bangladesh’s newsrooms and to outline steps toward ethical, transparent, and responsible use.
The panel noted that AI is already employed in Bangladeshi newsrooms, primarily for translation, content creation, data processing, and audience engagement. However, the use is largely informal and ad‑hoc. According to the MRDI assessment cited in the discussion, 51 % of journalists report using AI tools individually, while only 20 % of media houses have institutionalised AI practices. ChatGPT is the most popular tool, followed by Grammarly and Google Translate.
A common theme among speakers was the lack of clear editorial supervision and ethical oversight. Syed Samiul Basher Anik, MRDI programme manager, explained that many journalists rely on free platforms without adequate training, leading to gaps in quality and reliability. He emphasized that “structured policies, capacity building, and ethical guidelines are needed” to ensure transparency and prevent audience confusion.
Shakhawat Liton, executive editor of The Business Standard, warned that limited awareness and skills create risks of misuse. He argued that legal controls alone could stifle freedom, and that investment in journalists’ skills is essential for a responsible AI environment.
Ananya Raihan, chairperson of iSocial, highlighted the need for clear newsroom policies and regular training. She added that generative AI should be complemented by agentic AI, which carries higher risks of propaganda. Raihan urged careful selection of tools, accountability through correction policies, and logs of AI use.
Talat Mamun, managing director of Live TV, stressed that without strong ethical awareness, the speed benefits of AI could increase the risk of misuse. He called for internal responsibility within media houses and suggested that leading organisations setting clear standards could influence the wider industry.
Shawkat Hossain Masum, head of online at Prothom Alo, pointed out that readers now prefer concise, question‑answer formats. He argued that news organisations must shift toward reader‑centric models, restructuring content into scannable summaries, audio formats, and structured FAQs. Masum acknowledged financial and technological constraints but maintained that AI should enhance efficiency, not replace staff.
Tanim Ahmed, digital editor of The Daily Star, argued that a separate AI ethics guideline is unnecessary. He suggested that existing journalistic codes of ethics should govern all technological applications, with regulation focusing on final output rather than production tools.
Md. Al Mamun, country director of BBC Media Action Bangladesh, echoed this view, stressing that AI can produce confident errors, including fabricated references. He called for transparency through disclosure and investment in training programmes to maintain human judgment.
Professor Din M. Sumon Rahman of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh noted that AI has made research and content generation easier, but warned of sophisticated disinformation. He urged that AI literacy be raised among journalists and the public.
Assistant Professor Maliha Tabassum of Bangladesh University of Professionals added that ethics should be embedded at all levels, from schools to universities, and that formal regulatory frameworks are essential.
Deputy Editor Arun Devnath of The Daily Star emphasized that accuracy must take precedence over speed. He acknowledged that many AI tools are low‑cost and shareable, but highlighted the challenge of integrating AI into institutional systems.
Associate Professor Saiful Alam Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka pointed out that newsrooms often prioritize speed over authenticity, and that AI can introduce ideological bias. He called for a stronger understanding, responsible use, and gradual capacity building.
Hasibur Rahman, MRDI executive director, highlighted the need for experts who combine technical and newsroom knowledge. He urged sharing good practices and open discussion of challenges.
Senior Governance Specialist Sheela Tasneem Haq of UNDP Bangladesh stressed that AI must be a co‑pilot, not a driver, and that a value‑based system driven by personal integrity and accountability is essential.
Head of Office and Representative to Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize of UNESCO, underscored that trust in media is already low and that AI could exacerbate this. She called for inclusive AI policy that adapts global ethical frameworks to local values.
In summary, the roundtable underscored that while AI offers speed and efficiency, Bangladesh’s media sector faces significant gaps in policy, training, and ethical oversight. The consensus was that structured guidelines, capacity building, and human‑in‑the‑loop verification are essential to ensure that AI supports, rather than undermines, journalistic integrity.
The discussion concluded with a call for a national action plan that aligns with UNDP and UNESCO recommendations, promotes cross‑sector collaboration, and establishes clear accountability mechanisms for AI use in news production.
The panel noted that AI is already employed in Bangladeshi newsrooms, primarily for translation, content creation, data processing, and audience engagement. However, the use is largely informal and ad‑hoc. According to the MRDI assessment cited in the discussion, 51 % of journalists report using AI tools individually, while only 20 % of media houses have institutionalised AI practices. ChatGPT is the most popular tool, followed by Grammarly and Google Translate.
A common theme among speakers was the lack of clear editorial supervision and ethical oversight. Syed Samiul Basher Anik, MRDI programme manager, explained that many journalists rely on free platforms without adequate training, leading to gaps in quality and reliability. He emphasized that “structured policies, capacity building, and ethical guidelines are needed” to ensure transparency and prevent audience confusion.
Shakhawat Liton, executive editor of The Business Standard, warned that limited awareness and skills create risks of misuse. He argued that legal controls alone could stifle freedom, and that investment in journalists’ skills is essential for a responsible AI environment.
Ananya Raihan, chairperson of iSocial, highlighted the need for clear newsroom policies and regular training. She added that generative AI should be complemented by agentic AI, which carries higher risks of propaganda. Raihan urged careful selection of tools, accountability through correction policies, and logs of AI use.
Talat Mamun, managing director of Live TV, stressed that without strong ethical awareness, the speed benefits of AI could increase the risk of misuse. He called for internal responsibility within media houses and suggested that leading organisations setting clear standards could influence the wider industry.
Shawkat Hossain Masum, head of online at Prothom Alo, pointed out that readers now prefer concise, question‑answer formats. He argued that news organisations must shift toward reader‑centric models, restructuring content into scannable summaries, audio formats, and structured FAQs. Masum acknowledged financial and technological constraints but maintained that AI should enhance efficiency, not replace staff.
Tanim Ahmed, digital editor of The Daily Star, argued that a separate AI ethics guideline is unnecessary. He suggested that existing journalistic codes of ethics should govern all technological applications, with regulation focusing on final output rather than production tools.
Md. Al Mamun, country director of BBC Media Action Bangladesh, echoed this view, stressing that AI can produce confident errors, including fabricated references. He called for transparency through disclosure and investment in training programmes to maintain human judgment.
Professor Din M. Sumon Rahman of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh noted that AI has made research and content generation easier, but warned of sophisticated disinformation. He urged that AI literacy be raised among journalists and the public.
Assistant Professor Maliha Tabassum of Bangladesh University of Professionals added that ethics should be embedded at all levels, from schools to universities, and that formal regulatory frameworks are essential.
Deputy Editor Arun Devnath of The Daily Star emphasized that accuracy must take precedence over speed. He acknowledged that many AI tools are low‑cost and shareable, but highlighted the challenge of integrating AI into institutional systems.
Associate Professor Saiful Alam Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka pointed out that newsrooms often prioritize speed over authenticity, and that AI can introduce ideological bias. He called for a stronger understanding, responsible use, and gradual capacity building.
Hasibur Rahman, MRDI executive director, highlighted the need for experts who combine technical and newsroom knowledge. He urged sharing good practices and open discussion of challenges.
Senior Governance Specialist Sheela Tasneem Haq of UNDP Bangladesh stressed that AI must be a co‑pilot, not a driver, and that a value‑based system driven by personal integrity and accountability is essential.
Head of Office and Representative to Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize of UNESCO, underscored that trust in media is already low and that AI could exacerbate this. She called for inclusive AI policy that adapts global ethical frameworks to local values.
In summary, the roundtable underscored that while AI offers speed and efficiency, Bangladesh’s media sector faces significant gaps in policy, training, and ethical oversight. The consensus was that structured guidelines, capacity building, and human‑in‑the‑loop verification are essential to ensure that AI supports, rather than undermines, journalistic integrity.
The discussion concluded with a call for a national action plan that aligns with UNDP and UNESCO recommendations, promotes cross‑sector collaboration, and establishes clear accountability mechanisms for AI use in news production.
