The training programme on 'Building Capacity in Business Journalism Professionals' was organised by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI). Some 20 journalists are taking part in the programme.

Addressing the function, Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein expressed his hope that the training programme would strengthen press reporting and highlight the contribution that the media professionals and business community can make towards development efforts of the economy.

He said the programme will not only enhance the participants' knowledge about private sector affairs, but also enable them to analyse the impact of business decisions in a more profound manner. "All information and no right knowledge is not journalism. In the context of our country, we have to prepare the media for effectively advocating pro-poor growth and development strategies," he said, urging the business leaders to come forward and help the media and civil society organisations to meet the need of effective economic reporting.

Sadeq Khan, chairman of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, said special training is required for business reporting, as there is a lack of specialised knowledge on banking, capital market and others.

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, said the journalists, especially the young ones, should know what business and business journalism are. He advised the journalists to read international business magazines and journals.

"Your reporting creates public confidence in a product, institution and service," he said, adding that balance between public interest and private interest is also needed.

He also said business journalism should be taken as a career, not as a beat.

Farooq Sobhan, president of BEI, said the objective of the training is to strengthen the role of media for private sector development where media acts as a watchdog.

Stressing research for business reporting, Mir Nasir Hossain, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said there is a tendency among the reporters that they try to somehow establish an issue without analysing it.