The much-anticipated ‘Bashundhara Media Award 2021’, the first of its kind in the country, for investigative journalism, will be handed over to the winners at a gala ceremony today (May 30).

Some 11 journalists will be given the award for their in-depth investigative reports while 64, each from every district, will be honoured for enriching grassroots journalism of the country.

The curtain of the award ceremony will rise at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital at 7:00pm, ending a long wait of the fearless journalists.

It is going to be the biggest award ceremony in the history of the country’s journalism, according to Bashundhara Media Award Organising Committee.

The award committee also confirmed that no report of journalists from any media outlet of Bashundhara Group will be considered for the award to avoid any debate.

Speculations are in the air for the last couple of weeks over the award. Media people have been discussing who are going to receive ‘Bashundhara Media Award for the first time.

Eleven journalists will get the award this year. Of them, best three will get the award from each category of the Liberation War, Crime and Corruption, and Women and Children, for reports published in print, online and electronic media.

And two journalists will be given the award for investigative documentary and photography. Each winner will receive Tk 250,000 in cash, a crest and a certificate.

Besides, special honour will be bestowed upon 64 newsmen of the country for their contributions to grassroots journalism. Each of them will receive cash, honorarium and scarves.

The ICCB is counting hours to host the historic event. Journalists have already arrived in Dhaka to attend the award ceremony. The organisers expect that the event will turn into a reunion of veteran and young journalists.

East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL) has published a souvenir on the occasion of Bashundhara Media Award ceremony. The guests will unveil it today. The souvenir contains short biographies of 64 veteran journalists, introductions of 11 award-winning journalists, statements of jury board members and some special reports published by different outlets of the EWMGL.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will attend as the chief guest the event to be chaired by ‘Bashundhara Media Awards 2021’ Organising Committee Convener and Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan will inaugurate the award ceremony. Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Nizamul Haque Nassim and ‘Bashundhara Media Award 2021’ Jury Board chief Prof Md Golam Rahman will be present as the special guest.

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

The jury board comprising eight renowned personalities has scrutinised all reports submitted to find out the best investigative journalists, said sources at the award organising committee.

Members of the committee also said that they are proud to be a part of recognising and honouring 64 dedicated journalists who have created a strong foundation for the grassroots journalism in the country.

Asked about the process, Head of the Jury Board Prof Md Golam Rahman said, “The task of nominating best investigative journalists was a very difficult one. Countless reports were submitted. Therefore, we had to struggle to choose the best reports.”

“The best thing is that there was not even the slightest influence from the organisers in the process. We’ve picked the best reports through hundred percent impartiality and proper analysis,” he added.

The Jury Borad also consists of 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 Professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University Shaonti Haider.

BDST: 1229 HRS, May 30, 2022
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