Desk Report:
Bashundhara Group has awarded 17 journalists from six media outlets under the East West Media Group Limited.
Abdul Bari, Media Advisor to Bashundhara Group, and Imrul Hasan, DMD (Finance), handed over certificates and cash prizes to the winning journalists on behalf of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and ABG (Anvir Bashundhara Group) Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir.
Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan stated that 12 journalists from the group who work for the welfare of the country and its people through their writing would be awarded the title of “Journalist of the Month.”
As the first step of this initiative, the “Journalist of the Month (June 2026)” award was presented in recognition of outstanding journalism. The awards were handed over during a ceremony held on Saturday (October 3, 2026) afternoon at the East West Media Group conference room.
Senior officials of the group were present at the event, including Kaler Kantho Editor Mehedi Hasan Talukdar and Executive Editor Haider Ali; Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Ekramul Haque Bhuiyan (Loton Ekram) and Executive Editor Afaz Uddin Biplob; Banglanews24.com Editor AKM Manjurul Haque; Daily Sun Editor Md. Rezaul Karim Lotus; and News24 TV Head of News Shariful Islam Khan.
Shimul Mahmud of Kaler Kantho was awarded the “Journalist of the Month” for June 2026. His report was titled “Government Medical Colleges in Dire Straits: Medical Degrees with Learning Gaps.”
Sajib Ahmed’s report was titled “180-200 Digits in a Single Recharge: Customers in Trouble.” Anik Akhand, a multimedia reporter from Chattogram, was also recognized; his report was titled “Eastern Railway Office Turned into a Rest House Due to Official Arrogance; Irregularities in Procurement.” Ilias Sarkar from Banglanews24.com received an award; his report was titled “A Decade in the Death Row Cell: After Shiuli, Mashkura is Now Set for Release.” Ikram-ud-Daula’s report was titled “NID Must Be Renewed Every 15 Years.”
Abir Rahman’s report was titled “If Cape Verde and Curaçao Can Do It, Why Is Bangladesh Lagging Behind?” GM Mujibur’s report was titled “Bird Habitats Vanishing in the Concrete Jungle; Ecosystem in Crisis.” Mizanur Rahman from the Chattogram Bureau reported on “Chattogram Losing Its Hills; Risks Rising.”
Shamim Ahmed from Bangladesh Pratidin received an honor; his report was titled “Paper Trees Worth Crores Offer No Shade!” Mahbub Momtaji’s report was titled “Social Media: A Factory for Crime.” Imran Rahman’s report was titled “Terrifying ‘Zombie’ Now in Bangladesh.”
Reports by Ehsanul Haque Jasim and Asadul Islam of the Daily Sun included “Environmental justice turns into a wild goose chase.” Rafiqul Islam reported on “SDG deadlines loom, PWD workforce still untapped,” and Mousumi Islam on “Can high rates revive investment?”
Sajjad Hossain, a journalist for News24 and T-Sports, reported on “Expat’s Wife Trapped in Bribery Scheme; State Minister Takes Immediate Action.” Momin Rohan of T-Sports reported on “Father is a Hospital Guard, Son Zakir is ‘Bengal’s Usain Bolt’—Best Boy Sprinter at ‘Notun Kuri’.”
Highlighting Bashundhara Group’s slogan, “Bashundhara Group for the Welfare of the Country and Its People,” the group’s Media Advisor Abdul Bari announced that this honor would be awarded every month. The practice of objective journalism dedicated to the welfare of the country and its people must be further strengthened. The Chairman of Bashundhara Group consistently prioritizes the well-being of the general public and the creation of employment opportunities.
Conveying the announcement made by Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, it was stated that, according to the initial decision, this special honor would be awarded to journalists every month based on high-quality reporting.
Imrul Hasan, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Bashundhara Group, noted that media management and a designated committee would play an impartial role in selecting an equal number of quality reports from each media outlet. This process will create an excellent opportunity to properly evaluate reports covering various beats.
The editors present thanked the Chairman and Managing Director of Bashundhara Group for this innovative and praiseworthy initiative. They expressed optimism that this recognition program would continue in the future, serving to inspire journalists in their investigative work.
