Dhaka Tribune wins 3 prizes at Brac Migration Media Awards

The Dhaka Tribune made a strong showing at the Brac Migration Media Awards this year, with three of its journalists winning prizes in three separate categories. A total 14 journalists were honoured with awards in six categories, for their contribution towards ensuring the rights of expatriates and their families in 2017. This is the third time that Brac has awarded journalists with the aim of inspiring more objective reporting on migration. The event was organized by the Brac Migration Program at the Brac Centre Inn in Dhaka. Head of the Brac Migration Program and former Brac Migration Media Award winner Shariful Islam Hassan delivered the keynote speech before the award ceremony, while Expatriate Welfare Minister Nurul Islam handed out the awards. In the online category, the Dhaka Tribune’s Fazlur Rahman Raju won first place, followed by Kawsar Azam of Thereport24 and Jesmin Ara of Bannernews. In the national print category, Abu Zar Asgar Uddin Ahmed of Dainik Samakal secured first place, while Dhaka Tribune Staff Reporter Adil Sakhawat placed second, and Muhammad Wasim Uddin Bhuiyan of New Age came third. Meanwhile, in the photography category, Prothom Alo’s Saiful Islam Rony and Abdus Salam swept first and second places, while Dhaka Tribune Photojournalist Mahmud Hossain Opu came third. In the electronic media category, Ashish Kumar Sarkar of Samay TV, Jhumur Bari from 71 TV, and Mashrek Rahat of Masranga TV placed first, second, and third, respectively. Radio Today Senior Reporter Saleh Noman was the winner under the radio category, while Kamrul Islam of Daily Jalalabad, Sylhet, won the local level category. In his keynote speech, Brac Migration Program chief Shariful Islam Hassan highlighted the key role the media plays in protecting the rights of migrants. Brac Senior Director and moderator of the event Asif Saleh said: “Good governance in the migration sector will be ensured through collaborative efforts by government and non-government organizations. This will help us export skilled manpower.” Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Md Selim Reza, IOM Deputy Chief of Mission Abdus Sattar Isov, and Law Minister Anisul Haque were present at the award ceremony, among others.