Ekattor TV’s Special Correspondent Mufti Parvez Nadir Reza and Bangla Tribune’s Senior Reporter Shahed Shafiq have won the first-ever Rotary Media Award in development journalism for their outstanding reporting in broadcast and print media categories respectively.

The awards were given on Saturday at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the capital during the District Conference of the Rotary International District (RID) 3281.

Four other journalists--Abdullah Shafi of Nagorik TV and Ahmed Fazlay Rabbi of ATN News in broadcast category while Jesmin Papri of News Bangla and Gouranga Nandi of daily Kaler Kantha in print and online category were the other nominees for their reporting.

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The two winners received Tk 1 lakh as prize money, a crest and a certificate each while the nominees were also given a crest and a certificate each.

Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, District Governor for the RID3281, announced the Rotary Media Award 2022 last month at the National Press Club inviting news reports covering Rotary’s seven areas of focus such as water and sanitation, maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, environment, economic and community development, basic education and literacy and peace and conflict prevention or resolution.

Announcing the awards Barrister Faruqui said it is necessary to highlight Bangladesh’s development as the country was going forward becoming a model of development, which has been applauded by the United Nations and other global bodies.

“We need to tell good stories of Bangladesh and we need to encourage journalists for good journalism on sustainable development. So, a strong bonding between Rotary and media could play a significant role in helping Bangladesh progress further, alleviating poverty, ensuring child and maternal health and protecting the environment,” he said.

“Rotary has been working for decades to improve the lives of people, but the image of Rotary remained a matter of concern among mass people. Media can help spread news of Rotary’s good work to encourage others to join and contribute to Rotary. I am sure this award will inspire them from now on,” he said.

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Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Chief Adviser of the Rotary Media Award 2022 and former information adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, congratulated the winners and all other participants, saying that journalists would be inspired because of the introduction of Rotary Media Award.

“I hope every year Rotary will organise such competition in development journalism. This award will remain as a milestone for bridging the gap between media and Rotary,” said Iqbal Sobhan, also a Rotarian.

Rotary International President’s Representative Angshuman Bandopaddhay, Rotary’s Past District Governor Magfur Uddin Ahmed, regional public image coordinator PDG SAM Showket Hossain, senior general manager of daily Jugantor Rtn Abul Khair Chowdhury, NTV’s Head of News Rtn Zahirul Alam, Rotary Media Award coordinator, SARGAM editor Rtn Quazi Rownaq Hossain and Rotary Media Award coordinator  and Associated Press Bureau Chief Rtn Julhas Alam, among others, attended the award giving ceremony.

RID 3281 covers all but Chattogram and Sylhet Division under the Rotary International headquartered in Illinois in the United States.