The Online Editors Alliance officially launched on Thursday (December 12) as a platform for the heads of online and digital divisions of Bangladesh's leading news media, newspapers, and television outlets.
Members elected Hasan Sharif, online editor of Daily Naya Diganta, as president, and Mizanur Rahman Sohel, head of online at Daily Bhorer Kagoj, as general secretary. The alliance also formed a 13-member executive committee for a one-year term.
Broad cancellation of press accreditation threatens free press: Editors' Council
Representatives from 35 prominent media organisations attended the meeting where the alliance announced its formation. This initiative aims to enhance coordination, foster experience sharing, and develop skills in digital journalism.
Lutfor Rahman Himel of Banglanews24.com and KM Zeaul Haque of Jagonews24.com were selected as vice presidents. The alliance appointed M A H M Kabir Ahmad of RTV Digital and Kamrul Islam Rubel of DBC Television as joint secretaries.
Palash Mahmud of Daily Kalbela took the role of organising secretary, Sharafat Hussain of Daily Ittefaq became assistant organising secretary, Moin Bakul of Amader Shomoy was named finance secretary, and Masud Bin Abdur Razzak of Deepto TV assumed the role of office secretary.
Editors’ Council voices concerns over media freedom
The executive committee includes Anisur Rahman Bulbul of Kaler Kantho, Azad Baig of The Daily Star, and Mansura Chamily of Barta24.com.
In addition to the executive committee, the alliance granted general membership to the heads of several leading media outlets, including Forhad Hossain of Daily Manobkantha, Golam Rabbani of Daily Khaborer Kagoj, Riaz Uddin of Ekushey Television, Shamsul Huq Rasel of Bangladesh Pratidin, Zakaria Ibn Yusuf of Kaler Kantho, and Saiful Islam of Jaijaidin.
Other general members include Mahmud Sohel of Gazi TV, Moudud Ahmmed Sujan of Daily Sun, Golam Zakaria of Bay of Bengal Post, Arifur Rahman of Asian TV, Apel Mahmud of Desh Rupantor, Sajid Hoque of Daily Manabzamin, Moniruzzaman of Desh TV, and Bipul Hasan of RTV. Additional members include Mahatab Hossain of Desh Rupantor, Md Rashed Siddique of ATN Bangla, SA Rahman Galib of Daily Inqilab, and Riajul Alam Rabby of BanglaVision.
The alliance also includes S.M. Amanur Rahman Rafat of Protidiner Bangladesh, Shakib Sikander of Kaler Kantho, HM Nahiun of Bhorer Kagoj, Rony Reja of Daily Bangladesh, Mobin Hossain of Nagorik TV, Juboraj Faishal of Naya Diganta, Nasir Uddin Patoari of Barta Bazar, AKM Imranul Haque of Daily Ittefaq, Rudro Mizan of News 24, and Jubaer Ahsan Zaber and Ataur Rahman of Daily Jugantor.
The alliance seeks to unify online journalism professionals, strengthen collaboration, and establish new standards for digital journalism in Bangladesh. Organisers emphasised that the alliance aims to advance objective journalism and promote teamwork among digital media leaders.