Language:
Hatiyar Saiful Masum receives TIB investigative journalism fellowship
Ajker newspaper’s own reporter Saiful Masum has received Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) Corruption Investigative Journalism Fellowship 2024. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman handed over the crest and certificate to Saiful Masum and three journalists at a ceremony at the TIB office in Dhanmondi in the capital on Wednesday (January 29).
The other two winners of TIB’s investigative journalism fellowship are Monirul Islam of Mohona Television and Hasan Himalaya of Samakal.
Masum received this TIB fellowship for his report titled ‘Ban Khel Sarkar, Chingri Barobhute’ on the 7,000-acre shrimp enclosure of the Fisheries Department located in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar. It revealed information about the destruction of Chakaria Sundarbans in the name of shrimp farming.
The report stated that the forest is being deforested under government sponsorship and leased to government bureaucrats and political influencers. The lessees are earning money by subleasing the enclosures to others without cultivating shrimp, violating the policy. A terrorist group has formed around the enclosures. During the tenure of all governments, terrorists have been doing ‘whatever they want’ there with the shelter and protection of the ruling party. And the officials of the Fisheries Department are taking advantage of all the misdeeds by being accomplices.
Saiful Masum was born in Dakshin Charchenga village, Hatia, Dwip Upazila, Noakhali. He completed his graduation in journalism from Stamford University and his post-graduation in the same subject from Rajshahi University.
He has worked in the media in various beat-based journalism on the service sector, agriculture, environment, immigration and aviation. In recognition of his work, Saiful Masum has won the IED Indigenous Affairs Journalist Award-2019 and the BRAC Migration Media Award-2024.
The winners were presented with crests and certificates by Kamrul Hasan, Managing Editor of Daily Ajker, Mashiur Rahman, Chief Correspondent of Samakal, Monir Hossain, Mohana TV CEO and News Chief Borhanul Haque Samrat, and Chief News Editor Abdur Rouf.
Also present at the event were TIB Executive Management Advisor Professor Dr. Sumaiya Khair, Senior Journalists Zulfikar Ali Manik, Shahnaz Munni, TIB Outreach and Communication Director Mohammad Touhidul Islam, and Deputy Coordinator Masum Billah.
