2 Dhaka Tribune journalists win PIB-a2i media award

Two Dhaka Tribune journalists—among seven journalists of the print, electronic, and online media— have been awarded the PIB-a2i Mass Media Award 2018.

Dhaka Tribune Senior Reporter, Ibrahim Hossain Ovi, received the award for his article titled "Freelancers Turn Bangladesh into a Hub for ICT Outsourcing"; while Senior Photojournalist, Syed Zakir Hossain, won it for his photo story titled "Shidhulai Swanivar Sangstha is Working for Landless People in the Flood-Prone Chalanbeel."

The other recipients  are: Buddhadeb Kundu of Boishakhi TV, Rafiqul Islam Montu of Risingbd, Md Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh Betar, Ujjal Biswas of Dainik Gramer Kagoj, and Mohammad Waliullah of Dainik Share Biz.

The award ceremony was held at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), around 10:30am on Wednesday.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud was present as chief guest, while ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar, was present as esteemed guest. Abdul Malek, secretary of the Information Ministry, and a2i’s Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury attended the event as special guest.

Hasan Mahmud said: “The government can set up a court anywhere as per the laws and regulations and assisting the court is a responsibility of the government…So, the government has set up a makeshift court in Keraniganj Central Jail as per the laws and regulations for Khaleda Zia’s convenience as she is ill.”

Addressing the function, Mustafa Jabbar said the country has now achieved the status of “Digital Bangladesh.”

Mentioning that 10,000 post offices have been turned digital, Jabbar said: “All unions of the country will be brought under the optical fibre connectivity by the end of this year.

At the program, Information Secretary Abdul Malek said the present government believes in the freedom of mass media.

There were 778 newspapers in the country in 2009, the official said, adding that there are now 3,124 newspapers, 45 private television channels while the government has launched community radio which is helpful for people living in coastal areas.