Dhaka, Dec 14 (V7N) –Sixteen journalists have received the Ninth Brac Migration Media Award for their investigative journalism on migration.
The winners were presented with awards by The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, European Union Ambassador Michael Miller, and Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh at an award ceremony at The Daily Star Centre in the capital on Sunday morning.
Mahfuz Anam said: "Migrants are sending remittances of $22 billion-$23 billion to the country every year. The government should emphasize investment in this sector and ensure the welfare of expatriates. Journalists can play an important role in this."
Shariful Hasan, associate director (Migration and Youth Platform) at Brac, presented the keynote address at the event.
The Brac Migration Media Award was launched in 2015 to recognize journalism's contributions to the migration sector.
This year, the awards were presented for the ninth time with the support of the Prottasha II project, implemented with the support of the European Union and co-funded by Brac.
Michael Miller, the EU ambassador, said: “The EU member states believe in regular, safe and dignified migration. If we are skilled in the kind of work we are looking for, more Bangladeshis will be able to migrate to Europe for work. If safe migration is ensured, both the EU and Bangladesh will benefit.”
He said journalism is important in the migration sector. "The work of journalists plays a role in the decision-making of policymakers. If the media works objectively, the migration sector in Bangladesh will move forward."
Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh said expatriates complain that no one listens to their problems. Because of this, they are deprived of the benefits they deserve.
Mohammad Shaheen, joint secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, said: "The government is working to make overseas migrants skilled through various initiatives. If skilled labor migrates, the immigration process will become safer."
Safi Rahman Khan, director of education, skills development and migration programme of Brac, also spoke.
Rahnuma Salam Khan, national program manager of the International Labour Organization, spoke as a member on the jury board.
Winning journalists
This year, the first place in the newspaper (national) category was jointly won by Kamrun Nahar and Masum Billah of The Business Standard.
Saiful Masum of Ajker Patrika came second and Hasanuzzaman of Daily Inqilab came third.
In the local newspaper category, Shariful Islam of Ekushey Patrika came first, Iftekhairul Islam of Dainik Chittagong Khabar in second position and Md Shaheen Alam of Shaptahik Chauddagram was third.
In the television news category, Banglavision's Kefayetullah Chowdhury Shakil won first place, accompanied by Mohammad Rajibul Islam on camera.
Channel 24's Rasheduzzaman was second, accompanied by SI Sumon on camera and RTV's Tanvir Hasan was in third position, accompanied by Channel 24's Md Zakir Hossain Rana as camera person.
Independent Television's Nazmul Sayeed and camera person Kazi Mohammad Ismail won the award in the television program category.
Radio Tehran's Badsha Mia won the award in the radio category.
The first prize in the online newspaper category was won by Jahangir Alam of Jago News 24. The second prize was won by Ajoy Kundu of Prothom Alo and the third prize was jointly won by Shakila Akhter Boby of Khaborer Kagoj and Saddif Sohrab Ovee of Bangla Tribune.
The winners received a crest, a certificate and a cheque for the prize money.
Representatives of various embassies and various domestic and international organizations were present at the event.
END/MSS/AJ
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