Eight journalists receive OKUP Media Award 2020

Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP) has recognized eight print and electronic media journalists with the OKUP Media Award for their reporting on issues of 'Overseas Labour Migration' and 'Labour Trafficking amidst the Pandemic.' 

From print media, Arafat Ara, staff reporter for The Financial Express, Muhammad Owasim Uddin Bhuyan, freelance Journalist specialising in Labour Migration, Md Mohiuddin, senior reporter of Prothom Alo, and Abu Jor Ansar Uddin Ahamod, staff reporter for The Daily Samakal, have won the award.

At the district level, Md Masum Billah, editor of Amader Araihazar, and Md Shihabuddin Musa, chief reporter for Amar Bikrompur of Munshiganj, have been recognized, says a press release.

In electronic media, Alamgir Hossain, senior Reporter for Jamuna TV, and Mohammod Sharif Iqbal, Narshingdi's local correspondent for Bangla TV, have received the award.

Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme held the award giving ceremony in the Crystal Ballroom of Dhaka InterContinental on Thursday.

At the programme, OKUP also launched the music video 'Ovibashi Tomay Salam' about Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Singer and lyricist Hyder Husyn has performed in the music video.       

Imran Ahmad, minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, was present at the event as chief guest. 

Nazrul Islam Babu, lawmaker from Narayanganj – 2, and Md Shamsul Alam, DG, BMET, were also present as special guests. 

Omar Faruque Chowdhury, executive director, OKUP, delivered the opening speech, while Shakirul Islam, chairperson of OKUP, was the keynote speaker.

Journalists submitted their reports, features, and analysis for this award  from 1 January to 31 December, 2020. 

Later, 18 of them were shortlisted.