Investigative journalism tells untold stories of people: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud Monday said investigative journalism tells the untold stories of the underprivileged and marginalised people of the society.  

“Journalism is such a profession that plays important role in running the society smoothly, opening the third eye of the society and help pay attention to the neglected sides of the society which is not possible by any other profession, ” he said.

The minister stated these while addressing the Bashundhara Media Award-2021 organised by East West Group at International Convention City auditorium in the capital.

Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan inaugurated the function with its managing director Sayem Sobhan Anvir in the chair.

Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Md Nizamul Haque Nasim addressed the function as special guest.

Eleven journalists have received awards for investigative journalism and 64 senior journalists at district level also received the awards and certificates.

Hasan congratulated the recepients and extended thanks to the Bashundhara group for giving award to journalists.

He said such award giving progamme would encourage reporters to work for the welfare of the society. There is life risk in investigative journalism and  journalists have to do the work braving this hardens, he added.

He said mass media is the fourth pillar of a state and the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina think that flourishing of state and democratic society is rooted with the expansion of mass media. For this, a vast revolution has taken place in mass media in the last thirteen and a half years, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

 Ahmed Akbar Sobhan extended thanks to the guests. Sayem also extended thanks to the awardees.

The awardees are: Ahmed Ishtiak of the Daily Star, Kawsar Soheli of Massranga TV, Salah Uddin Jashim of Jagonews24.com, Shoeb Chowdhury of Desh Rupantar, Jannatul Ferdowsi of GTV, Jesmin Papri of newsbangla24.com, Rajib Ahmed of the daily Somokal, Showkat Sagar of Ananda TV, Adnan Rahman of Dhaka Post, Mazharul Islam of Massranga TV and Dipu Malakar of the daily Prothom Alo.

The jury board members were Professor Dr Md Golam Rahman, senior journalists Ajoy Das Gupta, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, the daily Desh Rupantar editor Amit Habib, writer Nasir Ali Mamun, Professor Dr AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, Associate Porfessor Shownti Haider of Dhaka University and journalist Julfikar Ali Manik.