In its debut year, the Dhaka Tribune celebrated the presentation of the DRU-Grameenphone Reporting Award 2013 to two of its reporters in a prestigious ceremony held at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.
18 other journalists were recognised by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and telecommunication company Grameenphone on Tuesday, including 14 from the print media, three from electronic media and one from an online news portal.
Dhaka Tribune senior staff reporter Aminur Rahman Rasel won in the media category, while Muhammad Zahidul Islam, senior reporter on this paper, obtained the award in the media category.
From the Bangla and English language print media, 13 reports were submitted on energy and power of which “BPC losing staggering sums on state-to-state oil purchases” by Aminur Rahman Rasel of the Dhaka Tribune obtained the best position.
Of the 12 reports submitted on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the best was adjudged to be “Looting in laptop” by Muhammad Zahidul Islam, who wrote it while working for daily Samakal newspaper, before moving to the Dhaka Tribune.
The other reports recognised in different important sectors were: Abu Saleh, Samakal; Rajib Ahmed, Kalerkantho; Rajan Bhattyacharja, Janakantho; Ershad Kamal, New Age; Shamim Chowdhury, Inqualab, Morsalin Mizan, Jankantho; M Shahjahan, Janakantho; Manjur Ahmed, Prothom Alo; Pinaki Roy, Daily Star; Ashish Soikat, Ittefaq; Shah Alam, Jugantar; Anwar Hossain, Prothom Alo; SM Nuruzzaman Tanim, banglamail.com; Mahbub Alam Lablu, Independent Television; Khadija Nahar, Boishakhi Television; GM Faisal Alam, Ekattor Television; Nazmul Hossain, Masranga Television; and Aharar Hossain, BBC.
Speaker of the National Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chawdhury, MP who was chief guest of the programme handed over the rewards to the respective reporters. Dhaka University VC Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique was the special guest at the ceremony.
Grameenphone Head of Corporate Communications Syed Tahmeed Azizul Huq, DRU President Shahed Chowdhury, General Secretary Elias Khan, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, BFUJ President and Jury Board Chairman M Shafiqul Karim were also present.
Speaking at the programme, Shirin Sharmin said news media assist in the formation of different policies of the country, and fair journalism was helpful for protecting the country’s democracy.
Dr Siddique said: “Every media person should be fair in journalism for welfare of the country and its democracy.”
In the ceremony the DRU leaders also given crest to Dr Shirin, Dr Siddique and Syed Tahmeed.
Grameenphone gave Tk75,000 as prize money to each award winner.
