Dhaka Tribune’s reporter Bilkis Irani has received the AmCham Frontline Journalism Award presented by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham).
She won the award for her report on “Rural families at risk due to decline of remittances.”
Meanwhile, Bangla Tribune's journalist Saddif Ovee, staff reporter, also received the award.
A total of 32 journalists from 30 print, online and broadcast media received this award for their excellent reporting during global Covid-19 pandemic.
Reporters and camera personnels from electronic, print and online media houses and news agencies (national) were asked to submit their pandemic related generic or business reports focused on two perspectives – the impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods and in the business sector, published between March 1 and August 31, 2020.
The award presentation ceremony was arranged virtually on Sunday evening considering the safety measures amidst the spread of ongoing pandemic.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen was the chief guest of the program while Earl R Miller, ambassador of the US Embassy in Dhaka, attended as the guest of honour.
The winners were selected from a significant number of submissions belonging to leading media houses of Bangladesh after a careful assessment and awarded in the program.
The initiative, in association with Masthead PR, aims to recognize and honour the valiant journalists working as the front liners in the current Covid-19 pandemic.
With all the uncertainties, journalists around the world are facing many challenges of covering the news during this pandemic - including health risks to reporters in the field, spreading awareness and cautionary measures during confusion and combating misinformation— while not fueling panic.
Following up early instances of AmCham’s commitment to support the society, the AmCham Frontline Journalism Award aims to acknowledge the contribution of the frontline and business journalists for their outstanding efforts and courage during the Covid-19 outbreak to motivate the journalist community.
Since 1988, AmCham started to operate as American Bangladesh Economic Forum (ABEF) and in 1996 established formally as The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, AmCham, with an objective to promote the economic relationships between Bangladesh and the US.