Abul Momen, editor of Dainik Amader Shomoy, Ekushey Padak winner, and eminent journalist, said there are so many crises all over the world, and the main reason is distrust. This distrust culture has engulfed the root to the highest level, and it is increasing.
He made the remarks while receiving the Shah Alamgir Journalism Excellence Award 2024 at the National Press Club on Thursday, given by the Broadcast Journalists Center (BJC) in memory of the late journalist Shah Alamgir.
BJC Trustee Rashed Ahmed moderated the ceremony. BJC, the central organisation of the country’s broadcast journalists, launched this award last year. Syed Badrul Ahsan won the award in 2023.
BJC Chairman and one of the members of the Jury Board Rezwanul Haque presided over the ceremony, and AAMS Arefin Siddique, former vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka and chairman of the jury board, attended the event as chief guest.
Abul Momen said, “In today’s event, everyone is showing sincerity, love, and respect. We journalists work from a sense of responsibility. Shah Alamgir was such a journalist. He was simultaneously honest, efficient, competent, professional, and a good man.
“This culture of fear has spread throughout society. As a result, journalism is not getting its freedom. This is something to think about. The role of journalists is therefore being curtailed in many cases. As a result, sensitivity is being lost in society. We have to think about it.”
He continued, “You have honoured me by trusting me. I gratefully accept this honour. We must move forward with the spirit of the liberation war. We will maintain our professionalism independently without making any compromises.”
Echoing Momen, AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “As Abul Momen said, there is a crisis of trust in the society. The main reason is that we are not able to make our children good people. We are discriminating against children by introducing numerous educational systems.
“To overcome the crisis of trust, we have to work selflessly. Transform yourself into a trustworthy person. Shah Alamgir was someone who could be trusted even amid such a crisis of confidence. He was a selfless man. All of us must possess this trait.”
Fauzia Begum Maya, wife of late Shah Alamgir, family members, former colleagues, and well-wishers of the deceased were present on the occasion.
Members of the jury board of “The Shah Alamgir Journalism Excellence Award-2024” Prothom Alo Joint Editor Sohrab Hassan, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists former president Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Dainik Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, Dhaka University's professor of mass communication and journalism Md Mofizur Rahman, and BJC Member Secretary Shakil Ahmed were also present at the ceremony.
