Press Release
Dhaka, 5 December 2024: A positive expectation for the future of journalism in “New Bangladesh” has emerged, prioritizing public interest and welfare. During the announcement of the "Anti-Corruption Investigative Journalism Awards 2024" and the panel discussion held on the occasion of the Investigative Journalism (IJ) Conclave organized by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), speakers called for ensuring media freedom along with their expectations. This event also marked the beginning of the observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2024. TIB organized this conclave in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its Investigative Journalism Award, bringing together all the award-winning journalists, the competition’s judges, senior journalists, and teachers from journalism departments of various universities.
Before announcing the "Anti-Corruption Investigative Journalism Awards 2024," two panel discussions took place. The first, titled "New Bangladesh: What Kind of Media Do We Want?" began with TIB's Outreach and Communication Deputy Coordinator Masum Billah presenting TIB’s recommendations for media reform. The panel discussion was moderated by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, and the participants included Faruk Wasif, Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), Senior Journalist and Chairman of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed, Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age, and Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor.
During the discussion, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “It is true that pressure on the media still exists. However, if media institutions cannot prioritize public interest and welfare, this situation will never change. The leadership of the media must work while maintaining editorial policies, and political changes should not influence them. We see that the standard of journalism has undoubtedly improved, and we want to look towards the positive prospects of journalism in ‘New Bangladesh,’ and we must not lose hope.” Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age, stated, "The media must maintain balance according to political history and social justice. On one side, fear, and on the other, the desire to gain political party favor leads to self-censorship. To escape from this, the institutionalization of media freedom must be ensured." Faruk Wasif, Director General of PIB, added, “The media must tackle misinformation and disinformation. We must ensure the flow of correct information and analysis.”
Kamal Ahmed, Chairman of the Media Reform Commission, said, “During the previous government, we saw that editorial policies were often disregarded. We must remain cautious to ensure that political influence does not override public interest, and that the media does not become a tool of power." Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, emphasized, "During the previous government, law enforcement agencies were used extensively to control the media. The priority of the interim government should be media freedom. Our hope is that no future political government interferes with the media's freedom."
In another panel discussion titled "Investigative Journalism in Bangladesh," moderated by TIB’s Director of Outreach and Communication, Mohammad Tauhidul Islam, participants included Senior Journalist and Press Minister at the Bangladesh Mission in Washington, Golam Mortuza, Editor of Daily Gramer Kagoj Mabinul Islam Mobin, Investigative Journalist Mohd. Badruddoza, and Senior Journalist Kurratul-Ain Tahmina. The discussants noted that despite the fall of the authoritarian government, self-censorship continues to be a problem. However, they emphasized that investigative journalism is never smooth, and it must overcome obstacles to continue proper investigative work. They called on journalists, media institutions, and the government to create a structured environment that encourages investigative journalism. The discussants also mentioned that media institutions need to increase their economic capacity and take initiatives to improve journalists' skills through investigative journalism training.
Investigative Journalism Awards 2024 and IJ Conclave
Since the inception of the Anti-Corruption Investigative Journalism Awards, TIB has organized the IJ Conclave this year, inviting 88 journalists who have received the award over 26 years, the judges of the competition, senior journalists, and teachers from various university journalism departments. This conclave not only served as a platform for discussing the crisis and ways to overcome the challenges of investigative journalism in the country but also became a meeting place for media professionals.
After the panel discussions, TIB announced the 2024 Anti-Corruption Investigative Journalism Awards. This year, three journalists and one documentary program were awarded in various categories. In the regional newspaper category, Shariful Islam (Shariful Rukun), Chief Reporter of “Ekush Pottika Dot Com” in Chattogram, won the award. In the national newspaper category, Zahima Islam, Senior Reporter of “The Daily Star,” won the award. In the television reporting category, Al-Amin Hossain Ahan, Senior Reporter of Jamuna Television, won the award. In the television (documentary program) category, the documentary program 'Talash' by Independent Television won the award. Each of the winners received a certificate of honor, a crest, and a prize of one lakh twenty-five thousand taka. The documentary program received a certificate, a crest, and a prize of one lakh fifty thousand taka.
Since 1999, TIB has been recognizing excellence in investigative journalism through the “Anti-Corruption Investigative Journalism Award.” By 2024, a total of 88 media professionals have received the award. Among the 1,440 reports submitted during this period, 90 reports were awarded. Thirteen documentary programs have been awarded, seven women journalists, and 17 cameramen.
Reflecting on the 25-year journey of the Investigative Journalism Awards, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, "We have not confined the Investigative Journalism Awards to Dhaka or the national level. We believe the competition's standard has increased due to its expansion outside Dhaka. Additionally, the growing interest of young people in investigative journalism is encouraging for us."
For more details about the 2024 Investigative Journalism Awards and Conclave, visit: https://www.ti-bangladesh.org/articles/ija/7138
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