Online Desk :
Bashundhara Media Award, the widely discussed event in investigative journalism in the country, is being organised on Monday. The event will start at 7 pm at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. 11 journalists will be awarded in different categories of investigative journalism. Apart from this, special honors will be handed out to 64 talented journalists from each district for their contribution in the spread of journalism in the crossroads areas of the country, said a press release.
According to the Bashundhara Media Awards Organising Committee, it is going to be the biggest award in the country’s journalism history from different angles. Huge interest among the media outlets and journalists has been found around this event and awardees. 11 journalists are getting the award in this event for the first time. In each of the categories of Liberation War, Crime and Corruption, Women and Children, the best three reports from print, online and electronic media will be given to a total of 9 journalists. Moreover, two journalists will be awarded for investigative documentary and photography. Each winner will receive BDT 2.5 lakh, a crest and a certificate.
On the other hand, in recognition of their contribution to grassroots journalism, special honors are being given to 84 people across the country. They each will receive cash honorariums and crests. All the awardees who are selected for the honor have already arrived in Dhaka to take part the event. The ICCB is counting down the days to witness a different kind of history around these veteran and talented journalists. The whole event will take the form of a gathering of old and new journalists.
East-West Media Group Limited has published a memorandum on the occasion of awarding Bashundhara Media Award. The guests will unveil the memorandum today. It contains short biographies of 84 veteran and talented journalists, introductions of 11 award winning journalists, special statements of jury members and some special reports published by East-West Media Group Limited.
Bashundhara Media Awards 2021 ‘Organising Committee Convener and Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir will preside over the function while Information and Broadcast Minister Hassan Mahmud is expected to be present at the event as a chief guest. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman, Bashundhara Group, the country’s top industrial conglomerate, will inaugurate the award-giving ceremony. Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim and ‘Bashundhara Media Award 2021’ Jury Board Chief Professor Dr. Md. Golam Rahman will be also present at the event as a special guest. The program will be moderated by popular film actor Ferdous and film actress Bubli.
According to the organising committee, the jury consisting of eight respected personalities has selected the best investigative journalists in the country. From the first year of the event, huge interest among the journalists have been seen around this award. Many journalists from Dhaka and the Grassroot areas of the country have submitted their best reports to be considered for the award. And, they have been thoroughly analyzed by the members of the jury. Apart from this, it is a great honor to be a part of such a grand event honoring 64 veteran and talented journalists who have contributed to grassroots journalism.
Jury Board Head professor Md. Ghulam Rahman said that recently Bashundhara Media Award has taken a big initiative by inviting competition in investigative journalism. The task of selecting the best reports in investigative journalism was very difficult. Because, countless reports were submitted to get the award. As a result, I had to struggle a lot to choose the best report. Best of all, investigative journalism did not have the slightest influence on the organiser or the selection process. We have selected the best report through 100% impartiality and logical analysis.
“I have seen journalists from all over the country participate in the process,” he said. The issue of giving this award has been resolved through a great deed. A qualified jury has worked here and each jury member has given his or her valuable opinion. Then they talked together.
All in all, they have decided to reward this journalism with a favorless attitude. In this activity, Bashundhara Media House has taken an incentive effort to improve the quality of journalism in the country. This effort has aroused a response among the professionals. Such institutional initiatives deserve applause in the hope of encouraging objective and investigative journalism.
The jury board headed by Professor Dr. Md. Golam Rahman was formed with Ekushe Padak Winner Journalist Ajoy Dash Gupta, TV Today Chief Editor Monjurul Ahsab Bulbul, Daily Desh Rupantor Editor Amit Habib, Photo Journalist and Author Nasir Ali Mamun, Film Researcher, Teacher and Consultant Dr. AZM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, Veteran Investigative Journalist Zulfiquar Ali Manik and Dhaka University Associate Professor Shaonti Hayder.
