A new executive committee of the Urban Development Journalist Forum Bangladesh  (UDJFB ) was formed for 2023-2025 with Desh Rupantor's Motin Abdullah as president and Protidiner Bangladesh reporter Faisal Khan as its general secretary. Helemul Alam Biplob, chief election commissioner and reporter of The Daily Star, announced the name of new committee members who were elected unopposed, at a hotel in the capital on Friday. Dhaka Central Jail inmate dies at DMCH New Age reporter Rashad Ahmad was made vice president while Bangladesh Pratidin reporter Hasan Emon joint venture secretary of the committee. The Daily Sun reporter Rashidul Hasan organising secretary, ATN Bangla reporter Yasin Rana treasurer, RTV reporter Billal Hossain Sagor and Sarabangla.Net reporter Rajnin Farzana publicity and publication secretary are the key office bearers. Bangladesh will take steps to get loss and damage fund quickly: Saber Hossain Chowdhury Besides, RTV reporter Suraiya Munni has been elected as hospitality affairs secretary while the Daily Sangbad reporter Mostafizur Rahman as training and research affairs secretary. The executive members are Dainik Janata reporter Jahangir Khan Babu,  Naya Satabdi reporter  Hasan Mahmud Ripon,  Channel-i reporter Akthar Habib, Ajker Patrika reporter Saiful Masum and Samakal reporter Latiful Islam are elected unopposed as executive members. Charting the Future: Policy experts unveil comprehensive solutions in WhiteBoard's latest issue

Children's popular educational and entertainment television series Sisimpur is returning to RTV. Sisimpur will be reaired on RTV every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 5:00 pm starting January 6. It will be rebroadcast at the same time on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. ‘Amader Ei Potaka’: Chhayanaut, Dhaka University celebrate V- Day 2023 Children will be able to watch Sisimpur on the TV screen six days a week. RTV has recently signed an agreement with Watermark MCL, the distribution partner of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, the producer of Sisimpur. ‘Domm’: Chorki, Alpha-i, SVF announce Redoan Rony’s directorial comeback  RTV CEO Syed Ashik Rahman and Watermark MCL MD Palash Mia signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Mohammad Shah Alam, MD of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, along with other top officials of the three organisations, were present on the occasion. Is Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki look inspired by son AbRam? USAID Bangladesh has been supporting the development and implementation of all Sisimpur activities in Bangladesh from the very beginning.

In a collective plea for press freedom and human rights, 19 international organisations have urged the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to halt cases initiated under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against journalist Adhora Yeasmean. This urgent appeal follows an investigation into Yeasmean's video report for a private TV channel RTV on alleged activities of the religious organization Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, which led to accusations against her under the DSA. Read : Cabinet approves Cyber Security Act to replace controversial DSA The coalition of organizations has also expressed alarm over reports of harassment targeted at Yeasmean by members of Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif. They allege that since mid-July, she has been subjected to unauthorized surveillance, threats, and intimidation. These actions are believed to be retaliatory against her investigative journalism. The coalition insists that authorities swiftly investigate these threats, hold the culprits accountable, and ensure the journalist's safety and psychological well-being. The coalition also calls for Bangladesh to terminate the DSA investigation into Akramul Ahsan Kanchan, a co-accused in Yeasmean's report. Kanchan claimed that Shakerul Kabir, the leader of Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, acquired local properties deceptively. The coalition views this legal backlash against journalistic sources as a threat to press freedom. Read : DSA amended to prevent misuse of law: Quader Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM), a platform of Bangladeshi journalists covering the country for various global media outlets, also endorsed the letter and urged authorities to drop any investigation into Adhora Yeasmin.  “Press freedom is vital for a thriving democracy, allowing voices to be heard and truths to be revealed,” stated BJIM spokesperson Redwan Ahmed. “We urge Bangladeshi authorities to cease using the criminal justice system to harass or intimidate journalists and to drop charges against Adhora Yeasmin for her journalistic work.” Amid the January 2024 election, the groups stress free journalism without fear, noting the DSA's repeal but cautioning against the new Cyber Security Act's threats to expression. The coalition also calls for involving stakeholders to shape rights-respecting legislation, underscoring the need to drop charges against expression and release detainees under the DSA. Read : No journalists will be harassed by Cyber Security Act: Law Minister Organisations who have signed the letter are Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 South Asia, Asian Human Rights Commission, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media, Capital Punishment Justice Project, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), Committee to Protect Journalists, Forum for Freedom of Expression, Bangladesh, Free Press Unlimited, IFEX, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Women’s Media Foundation, PEN America, PEN Bangladesh, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.

Sukanto Sen, Sirajganj staff  reporter of television channel RTV, died of Covid-19 while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on Saturday. He was 44.

Popular Japanese animation TV series ‘Astro Boy’ will be broadcast from February with the cooperation of RTV and Japan Foundation.