IMS and Digitally Right hold media viability training in Bangladesh

IMS, in collaboration with Digitally Right Limited, held a four-day media viability training programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Divided into two batches of two-day sessions each, the training aimed to help mainstream and emerging independent media outlets in Bangladesh understand and implement sustainable business models. Twenty-seven journalists and media executives from nine national media outlets and 10 emerging independent houses participated in the workshop.

Anders B. Karlsen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh, inaugurated the first session, while the second batch of the event was attended by Bitalie Taskeen Islam, senior programme adviser of the embassy and Asrafull Anwar Rosen, the programme manager for Dignity, the Danish Institute Against Torture.

The global media landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, and Bangladesh is no exception. To maintain a healthy information ecosystem and ensure independent operations, media outlets must adopt feasible business models.

IMS, which has worked with media viability across Asia and globally for over a decade, designed this initiative to support local media with marketing strategies, value proposition design, business planning, environmental mapping and systematic progress measurement. The training also included practical exercises on designing audience-specific products.

Danny Yong, IMS Media Business Adviser for Asia, facilitated the sessions. “The media space is highly competitive, and the ecosystem is changing rapidly. Any business needs to develop a proper action plan,” Yong said. “I am happy to facilitate this training to help media houses understand different business models. IMS has seen tremendous success with its media viability strategies across the region.”

Shakawat Hossain, IMS Programme Manager for Bangladesh, noted that the organisation has aimed to address business viability since it began operations in the country.

“Finally, we have partnered with Digitally Right to make it happen. Apart from viability, IMS supports media reform, safety and independent media tracks with our local partners. Following this training, we aim to coach media outlets to achieve their goals within the local context,” Hossain added.

The initiative is supported by the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh.

Highlighting Denmark’s commitment, Anders B. Karlsen said: “We acknowledge the importance of media sustainability for smooth operations, which ultimately contributes to democracy and accountability. I am glad IMS is intervening in this sector in Bangladesh.”

Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Digitally Right Limited, said the collaboration opens a new window for media viability in the country. “Through mutual exchange in this training, we hope to find a befitting model for Bangladeshi media outlets.”