DHAKA : The Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) felicitated Prothom Alo Editor and PublisherMatiur Rahman for winning the Inma Global Media Award-2025 in recognition of his courageousjournalism during the July Mass Uprising engaging young readers, and the various social and cultural initiatives taken thereafter, according to a press release.
NOAB President AK Azad, NOAB Vice President Shahidullah Khan Badal, Director of Jugantor and Jamuna Television Shamim Islam, Editor of Financial Express Shamsul Haque Zahid, Editor and Publisher of Banik Barta Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Editor of Samakal Shahed Mohammad Ali, and Editor of Weekly Counter Point Zafar Sobhan were present at the reception.
In a written statement, NOAB President AK Azad said that Matiur Rahman is a prominent figure in Bangladeshi journalism. He actively involved himself in the work of social change since his student days. He was the central leader of Bangladesh Chhatra Union and the general secretary of Dhaka University Cultural Society. In addition to journalism from 1970, he was in the central leadership of the Communist Party from 1973 to 1990.
He also said that Matiur Rahman served as a private observer in the national elections held in Pakistan in 1997 and 2002. By participating in seminars and international conferences in different countries of the world, Matiur Rahman has represented not only Bangladesh but also South Asian journalism as a strong voice. Building a newspaper like Prothom Alo and taking it to the highest heights is a great feat. In a written statement, AK Azad also said that the example of courage, honesty and professionalism that Matiur Rahman has set is a matter of pride for the country newspaper industry. This achievement in the international arena has increased the status of Bangladeshi journalism. At the event, Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman said, "During the July-August movement, all newspapers in Bangladesh played their part according to their capabilities. We went through a very difficult time, and the role of the media during that time was truly commendable. Currently, the biggest change in the media has come through digital transformation. Reader habits have changed, and we also have to change accordingly.Stating that Prothom Alo journey was challenging from the beginning, he added, We believed that if we can do something good for the readers and provide good quality journalism, print newspapers canalso create new possibilities." Many say that the days of print newspapers are coming to an end, but Ithink quality content is the key to survival in all media.Noab Vice President Shahidullah Khan Badal said, "Matiur Rahman is actually like a banyan tree aboveour heads. He creates a direction for us in his own way. We are lucky to have someone like him as our shadowShamim Islam, director of Jugantor and Jamuna Television, said, "What Matiur Rahman has done is, in aword, an extraordinary and exemplary example. With courage, foresight and a sense of responsibility, he has taken not only Prothom Alo, but also the entire journalism to a new height."
In addition, Shamsul Haque Zahid, editor of Financial Express, Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor and publisher of Banik Barta, and Shahed Mohammad Ali, editor of Samakal, also spoke.
At this time, Noab congratulated Matiur Rahman on winning the Inma Global Media Award-2025 It is worth noting that this award, given by the International News Media Association is given for innovative initiatives, reader engagement and socially conscious journalism from influential media outlets worldwide.
