The Digital Media Forum (DMF) on Saturday recognised the outstanding performance of five journalists by awarding them the 'Digital Media Excellence Award 2024'.

Besides, six individuals were honoured with the DMF Special Excellence Award in recognition of their noteworthy contributions to the country’s media, digital, and business sectors.

Prominent journalist and the Director-General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), Zafar Wazed, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) General Secretary and Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Dhaka University’s Mass Communication & Journalism Department Professor Robaet Ferdous, and jury board members UNB Special Correspondent Abdur Rahman Jahangir and Head of News of Daily Sobuj Nishan Mohammad Moksedur Rahman Wali handed over the awards to the recipients at a ceremony at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the capital.

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The five award-winning journalists are Eiahia Nkib of Bonik Barta (Business Category), SM Marzan Ivan of Rtv (Entertainment), Jafar Iqbal of The Daily Kalbela (Investigative Reporting), Sabbin Hasan of Samakal (ICT), and Yeasin Hasan of risingbd.com (Sports).

Besides, Joy Barua, Founder and CEO of Roblife Technologies, Bibradhan Roy Emon, Deputy Manager of the Daily Prothom Alo, Mohammad Mohsin PPM (BAR), Officer-in-Charge of Tejgaon Police Station, Abdullah Jayed, Founder and CEO of Founded Next & NEXT Ventures and Director of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), Dr Rafat Ul Islam Khan, Managing Director Khabar Dabar Catering and Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director of SWAPNO, were also given DMF Special Excellence Award.

DMF, an organisation dedicated to journalists and digital media workers, introduced the award this year to help further advance the country's digital media industry and uplift it to international standards.

The selection process involved rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges, led by Zafar Wazed, along with other distinguished jury members, including UNB Special Correspondent Muhammed Abdur Rahman Jahangir and Head of News of Daily Sobuj Nishan Mohammad Moksedur Rahman Wali.

DMF President Md Delowar Hossain said more than a hundred journalists from print and electronic media submitted their reports for the award. The jury board selected the five journalists for the award impartially reviewing their reports.

Speaking at the programme, PIB DG Zafar Wazed, a recipient of Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, underscored the significance of this initiative in fostering excellence and professionalism within the digital media landscape of Bangladesh.

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He said the DMF's efforts will not only be limited to distributing awards but also to enhancing the standards of digital journalism through concerted efforts and initiatives.

JPC General Secretary Shyamal Dutta stressed the need for responsible journalism on digital platforms, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality standards.

He also suggested that the Digital Media Forum could contribute significantly to achieving this goal.

DMF General Secretary and Assistant Manager of Channel 24 Raihan Ullah Rabin, Senior Vice-President and Head of Marketing of Arthasangbad Mainuddin Sohag, Vice-President and Deputy Manager of Barta24 Nasir Uddin, Vice-President and Chief Reporter of Crime Jagat Online News Portal Hakim Mahi, and Vice-President and Deputy Manager of RTV Mohammad Arif, along with other officials and members of DMF, were present.