Fifteen journalists have been awarded the BRAC Migration Media Award for their noteworthy contributions to journalism in the field of migration.
Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of Bangladesh's leading English newspaper, The Daily Star, graced a ceremony on Sunday held at the BRAC Centre as the chief guest. He presented the awards to the winners, read a press release.
BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh, competition judges, and representatives from various national and international organisations attended the event.
The BRAC Migration Media Awards, introduced in 2015, aim to recognise journalistic contributions to the migration sector. This year marks the eighth time the award has been given for various reporting in the public interest within the migration sector.
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Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC's Migration and Youth Initiatives, delivered the keynote speech. Safi Rahman Khan, Director of Education, Skills Development, and Migration Programme, gave the welcome speech. Ayesha Haq, Joint Secretary, Research and Policy wing, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment; and Mirza Shakila Dil Hasin, Deputy Secretary of the same ministry; and Member of the Jury Board Asif Munier, spoke as the guest of honour, among others.
Addressing the audience as the chief guest, Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, emphasised the pivotal role played by expatriates in Bangladesh's economy, contributing approximately 22 billion dollars annually. He commended their acts of patriotism, evident in their sacrifices such as selling land, investing personal funds, and working diligently abroad to support the country during challenging times of the dollar reserve. However, Mahfuz Anam emphasised that migrants are more than just sources of remittances.
He urged a human-centric perspective and increased media attention to migrant workers’ issues, urging a thorough exploration of challenges such as the disproportionately high cost of leaving Bangladesh compared to Nepal or India, the need for more skilled workers, government investments in the sector, and the allocation of expatriate welfare funds. He also raised the question, why the government is incapable of breaking the relentless cycle of the syndicate? He expressed a desire for collaborative journalism to assist the government, particularly in reducing costs, upskilling unskilled workers for overseas opportunities, and utilising the skills of returnees.
Ayesha Haq, Joint Secretary, Research and Policy wing, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, emphasized the media's vital role in the migration sector. She acknowledged the ministry's commitment to addressing media reports on expatriates and highlighted the government's efforts to create skilled workers and establish a new labour market. She anticipated positive changes through collaborative endeavours between public and private organisations with a humanitarian focus.
Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, drew attention to the prevalent discussions on expatriate income amid reserve crises. He urged a deeper understanding of migrant workers' experiences, emphasising the human perspective. How many of us realise that our construction workers work abroad from morning till night in 40-degree temperature? migrant workers’ interests and rights should be addressed. Diaspora stories can be more effectively covered by the media. He called for addressing migrant workers’ interests and rights, suggesting that media coverage could more effectively capture diaspora stories.
Asif Saleh shared BRAC’s ongoing efforts to create models for sending skilled workers abroad, including discussions with the Singapore government to facilitate low-cost skilled worker deployments. He emphasised the need for a balanced distribution of opportunities, particularly ensuring that districts with fewer outbound workers, such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts, receive attention and support in sending more workers abroad.
The winners received prizes at the second part of the programme, at the conclusion of the discussion. This year, Rajib Ahmed of Daily Samkal secured the first place in the national newspaper category this year. Md Masum Billah of The Business Standard took the second place, and Jesmin Akter (Jasmin Papri) of Dainik Bangla claimed the third place. In the regional newspaper category, Shariful Islam of Ekushe Patrika was first, Iftekharul Islam of Daily Chattogram Khobor was second, and Mst Shakila Akhter of Daily Jainta Barta secured the third place.
Ahmed Reza of Jamuna Television secured the first place in the television news category. Independent Television's Talash team and its two investigative journalists Anamul Haque and Md. Nazmul Sayed secured the second place, and News24's Md. Khandoker Badrul Alam secured the third. Bangla TV's Md. Badsha Mia won the award in the media organisation category. Niloy Rahman of the National Broadcasting Company of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Radio Iran received the award in the radio category.
The first prize in the online newspaper category was awarded to Md Jahangir Alam of Jago News. Adnan Rahman of Dhaka Post took the second place, and Md Imrul Kayes of Dhaka Mail secured the third place.
Winners received a crest, certificate of recognition, and a prize money cheque.
On this occasion, BRAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the English newspaper, The Daily Star, to raise public awareness about migration. The memorandum was signed by BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam. Under this agreement, The Daily Star will publish more public interest news related to ensuring safe migration, preventing human trafficking, and reintegrating returnees.
