Adapting to Technological Shifts: Evolving Skill Requirements for Journalists in Bangladesh

Media convergence theory suggests that digital platforms increasingly require journalists to work across multiple media formats rather than within specialised, single-medium roles. In the United States, Europe, and Latin America, digital competencies have complemented rather than replaced traditional journalism skills. However, little empirical evidence exists from Bangladesh. This study examines how journalists in Chattogram and Dhaka perceive evolving skill requirements and whether existing training has kept pace. A survey of 50 journalists, selected through cluster sampling across print, broadcast, and online news organisations with purposive sampling within each cluster, assessed essential skills, training experiences, and attitudes toward digital transformation using descriptive statistics. Communication and writing remained the most highly valued core skills, whereas multimedia content creation and image and video editing were prioritised for online journalism. Most respondents reported that adapting to technological change is challenging (74%), recognised digital media as an indispensable part of journalism (94%), and agreed that journalists are increasingly expected to work as self-sufficient “one-man armies” (94%). Although all respondents considered technical training, only 72% had received such training. This study provides empirical evidence on the evolving competencies of Bangladeshi journalists and highlights the need for greater institutional investment in digital journalism education and professional training.