They also said the cooperation between the local representatives and journalists can accelerate development at the grassroots.

The speakers were addressing the workshop titled 'Role of journalists to make the local government stronger' at the Abdul Khaleque Khan Conference Room on Kalibari Road in the city.

Organised by Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP), the workshop was jointly assisted by USAID and RTI International.

Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Mazibar Rahman Sarwar, MP attended the workshop as the chief guest while Assistant Editor of the daily Samakal Ajoy Dasgupta conducted it.

The Mayor said it is the duty of the mass media to identify the misdeeds and shortcomings of the local governments and show them the right path.

In spite of writing only about the problems, the Mayor also called upon the journalists to make a focus on the success of the local government.

Among the 47 participants, the workshop was also attended by Patuakhali Pourasobha Chairman Mostaq Ahmed, Charbaria UP Chairman Ziaul Hasan Sabu, Patuakhali Pourasobha Commissioners Aklimunnessa and Delwar Hossain, Padri-Shibpur UP Chairman Sajjad Mollah, Barguna Ar-Pangashia UP Chairman Nurul Haque, Chandpasha UP Chairman Shamsul Alam Fakir, Madhabpasha UP Chairman Sultan Ahmed Khan, former Barisal Pourasobha commissioner Syed Golam Mahbub and journalists from the daily Janakantha, the daily Jai Jai Din, the daily New Age, the daily Sangbad, Channel-i and BSS.