Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and UNICEF Bangladesh jointly organized a special orientation workshop for journalists, the main focus of which was the dangers of lead pollution and poisoning. Experts said that the unwanted use of lead in various sectors of Bangladesh poses serious risks to public health, environment and child development, yet it is relatively under-reported in the media. Speakers at the workshop called lead pollution a ‘silent crisis’ and said that information-based and responsible journalism is very important to achieve a lead-free Bangladesh.
The event was attended by ASDO Chairperson and former Secretary Syed Marghub Murshed, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment Md. Ziaul Haque, Professor Dr. Abul Hashem, Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Executive Director Siddika Sultana, UNICEF Dr. Hasnain Ahmed and Assistant Professor Preeti Kona Sikder of BAUP. They said that a combined effort of policy action, public awareness and investigative journalism is essential to address lead pollution. The emphasis was on journalists collecting field-level data, analyzing scientific data and playing a role in positive policy change.
