Eleven journalists were given ‘Bashundhara Media Award 2021’ for their in-depth investigative reporting on Monday evening.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud handed over the awards to the journalists at a much-anticipated gala ceremony, the first of its kind in the country, this evening.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud was chief guest in the event which was chaired by ‘Bashundhara Media Awards 2021’ Organising Committee Convener and Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir.

Several ministers, members of the parliament, business tycoons, government high-ups, editors, journalist leaders and cultural personalities were present.

The 11 journalists were nominated by a Jury Borad comprising Ekushey Padak-winning journalist Ajay Dasgupta, editor-in-chief of TV Today (waiting to be on air) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, the daily Desh Rupantar editor Amit Habib, renowned photographer and writer Nasir Ali Mamun, film teacher, researcher and consultant Dr AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, noted investigative journalist Julfikar Ali Manik, and Associate Prof of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University Shaonti Haider.

Meanwhile, special honours were bestowed upon 64 newsmen of the country for their contributions to journalism at the grassroots. Each of them received cash, honorarium and scarves.

Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Nizamul Haque Nassim and ‘Bashundhara Media Award 2021’ Jury Board chief Prof Md Golam Rahman were present as the special guests.

Popular film actor and alumni of the Department of Journalism at Dhaka University Ferdous and film actress and former news presenter Bubli anchored the programme.

Terming press as the fourth state, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said journalists unearth the unknown stories and hidden truths of the society.

The minister said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before the parliamentary polls told a programme in Jatiya Press Club that she will do something for professional safeguard and upgradation of journalists. In line with her commitment, the government has initiated Mass Media Law. When the law will be passed in the parliament, the service of the journalists will be more secure.”

Dispelling controversy over Digital Security Act, he said the law is passed by the government to protect all citizens, not journalists alone.

If any rumour or fake information is spread against anybody, the law is expected to give legal redress to the affected person, he added.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said the business conglomerate will hike the number of awards for investigative journalism from 11 to 25 from next year on.

He also announced to increase the award money from 2.5 lakh to 10 lakh.

Bashundhara Group has already brought qualitative changes in the field of journalism and will continue support for the improvement of the sector, he added.

Urging journalists to focus on objective journalism and work for branding the country in the velvet of the globe, he insisted on covering positive aspects of the country and constructive steps of the government.

The journalists should encourage governments and businessmen for their contribution to the country's strides towards development, he added.

Recalling contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said, “We owe to him for an independent country, economic boom and dignified life today. But Bangabandhu along with most of his family members got assassinated on August 15, 1975.”

Several ministers, members of the parliament, business tycoons, government high-ups, diplomats, justices, jurists, editors, journalist leaders and cultural personalities were present on the occasion.

Eleven winners are: Ishtiaq Ahmed (print), The Daily Star reporter in the Liberation War category, Kawser Soheli (Television), special correspondent of Maasranga Television, Salah Uddin Jasim (online), senior reporter of Jagonews24.com, Shoaib Chowdhury, Habiganj district correspondent of Desh Rupantor (print) in the crime and corruption category, GTV Staff Reporter Jannatul Ferdousi (Television), Jasmine Papri, News Bangla24.com freelance journalist (online), in the Women and Children category, Samakal's senior correspondent Rajib Ahmed (print), Ananda TV Reporter Shawkat Sagar, Dhaka Post' senior correspondent Adnan Rahman (online), and photo journalist of Prothom Alo Dipu Malakar. Each of them received Tk 250,000 in cash, a crest and a certificate.

In addition, the persons who were honoured from 64 districts are:

Eight from Rajshahi division – Md Toybur Rahman of Rajshahi, Md Taslim Uddin of Chapainawabganj, SM Manzur Ul Hasan of Natore, Ranesh Moitra of Pabna, Rafiqul Alam Khan of Sirajganj, Asadul Islam Asad of Joypurhat, Md Nabir Uddin of Naogaon and ASM Khabirul Haque (Samudra Haque) of Bogura.

Eight from Rangpur Division- SM Shafiqul Islam of Lalmonirhat, Md Shahabuddin of Kurigram, Md Abdul Latif of Thakurgaon, Sadrul Alam Dulu of Rangpur, Amir Khasru Lablu of Panchagarh, Chitta Ghosh of Dinajpur, Md Shamsul Islam of Nilphamari and Gobindalal Das of Gaibandha.

Four form Mymensingh Division: AAK Mahmudul Hasan Dara of Jamalpur, Abdur Razzak of Mymensingh, Md Abdus Salam of Netrokona and Sushil Malakar of Sherpur.

Thirteen from Dhaka Division: Shafiq Chowdhuryof Dhaka, Hafizur Rahman Mintu of Narayanganj, Rashid Ahmed of Munshiganj, Nibaran Chandra Roy of Narsingdi, Subir Basak of Kishoreganj, Saifuddin Ahmed Nannu of Manikganj, Mohammad Sanaullah of Rajbari, SM Shahjahan Khan of Faridpur, Abdus Samad Talukder of Shariatpur, Durlav Biswas of Tangail and Md Nazrul Islam Badami of Gazipur.

Ten from Khulna Division: ABM Mosharraf Hussain of Bagerhat,Md Kamrul Arefin of Chuadanga, Professor Mosiul Azam of Jashore, Bimal Kumar Saha of Jhenaidah, Faruk Ahmed of Magura, Kazi Motahar Rahman of Khulna, Chowdhury Subhash Chandra of Satkhira, Bhakta Sarkar of Narail, Tozammel Azam of Meherpur and Abdur Rashid Chowdhury of Kushtia.

Eleven from Chattogam Division: Nasir Uddin Chowdhury of Chattogram district, Abul Hasanat Babul of Cumilla, Osman Harun Mahmud of Feni, Md Arju Mia of Brahmanbaria, AKM Maqsud Ahmed of Rangamati, AKM Jubayer of Noakhali, Golam Kibria of Chandpur, Hossain Ahmed Helal of Laxmipur, Priyotosh Pal Pintu of Cox’s Bazar, Tarun Kumar Bhattacharya of Khagrachhari, and Priyodorshi Barua of Bandarban.

Six from Barisal Division: Manabendra Batbal of Barisal district, Manik Roy of Jhalakati, Amirul Islam of Patuakhali, Mahmud Hossain Shukur of Pirojpur, M Habibur Rahman of Bhola and Chittaranjan Shil of Barguna.

Four Sylhet Divisions: Abdul Malik Chowdhury of Sylhet district, Ahmed Siraj of Moulvibazar, Chowdhury Fazle Nur Ismat of Habiganj and Md Iqbal Hossain Kagji of Sunamganj.

East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL) published a souvenir on the occasion of Bashundhara Media Award ceremony.