‘Young journalists should act as change-makers’

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has called upon the young journalists to carry out responsible and investigative reporting and play the role of social change-makers.

He came up with the call while addressing the ‘ActionAid Young Journalist Media Award’ ceremony at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), said a press release.

“The young journalists have a vital role for playing to contribute bringing young people’s agendas to the forefront of national concerns and policy makers. Young journalists are the artisans of change,” he said.

“Journalists, news readers, and media house owners must focus on specific, emphatic, and concise journalism, and take responsibility for a sustainable media industry for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s),” Dr Hasan added.

He further said, “With the third eye, a journalist can identify the community concerns and challenges for making effective solutions. There are many people in the society for whom no one thinks about, who cannot speak about their rights whereas journalists give them courage, dream, and raise voice about their rights.”

Three journalists received awards and other four journalists got fellowships.

On the occasion, Former Chief Information Commissioner Professor Dr Md Golam Rahman announced the names of the winners.

The winners are --Md. Iqbal Hossain, reporter of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in 'Journalism for promoting youth leadership for social transformation' category; Miftahul Zannat, deputy managing editor of The Dhaka Apologue in 'Journalism for promoting youth responsive accountable public services' category; Md Sharful Alam, senior reporter of ATN Bangla in 'Journalism for promoting decent work and economic opportunities for young people' category.

On the other hand, Babu Kamruzzaman, staff correspondent of News 24; Nilima Jahan, reporter of the Daily Star; M Yousuf Ali, Jahangirnagar University correspondent of the Daily Jugantor; Satej Chakma, chief reporter of IPNEWS BD got fellowships.