bdnews24.com has taken Bangladesh journalism to ‘extraordinary height’ in 10 years, newsmakers say

Bangladesh’s top newsmakers have said bdnews24.com has boldly delivered the unbiased brand of news for a decade to scale ‘unmatched’ heights.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 Oct 2016, 02:26 PM
Updated : 6 Nov 2016, 03:50 PM

Movers and shakers from across the social, political, cultural and sports arena, as well as artists, journalists and members of the judiciary joined the bilingual internet news publisher at the Radisson Blu hotel on Sunday during its 10th anniversary celebrations.

They hoped the success story of their credible source of news will continue in the days ahead.

The ballroom of Radisson Blu hotel became a unique gathering place for stakeholders from across the broad social spectrum, who create, influence and alter the agenda-setting process in Bangladesh.

Policymakers of the government and politics, top judges and lawyers, businesspeople and industrialists, poets, litteratures, journalists, cultural activists, athletes and sport organisers, civil and military officials and many others who witnessed the important turns of events in national history were in attendance.

bdnews24.com started its journey in the first half of 2005 as BDNEWS, a news agency, gathering news for other media houses.

A trendsetter from the very inception, BDNEWS collected and distributed news through the internet at a time when its contemporaries were still making do with teleprinters.

In 2006, it underwent a thorough ownership and management changes.

Under the stewardship of journalist Toufique Imrose Khalidi, the new management took the giant leap forward in re-branding the organisation as bdnews24.com.

A spokesperson for bdnews24.com remembers, "That year when the country was reeling in violence and indirect military rule, when there was violence and deaths on the doorsteps, bdnews24.com threw open content to eager readers and thus began the journey of the country's first internet newspaper."

Sunday saw bdnews24.com commemorate the years behind which it called "Terrific Ten Years".

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said, “As an online news media, bdnews24.com has played quite an effective role. The organisation has successfully provided objective news for 10 years.”

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak also joined the event which was webcast live.

The other guests who came include BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood and Principal Information Officer AKM Shamim Chowdhury.

US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon, Turkish ambassador Devrim Ozturk, US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission David Meale and diplomats from Korean and Moroccan embassies were also there.

Among others were Maulana Fariduddin Masud, who is leading a campaign of Islamic scholars against militancy, Bangladesh Police Deputy Inspector General (Media) Shahidur Rahman, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association President Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s foreign friend Julian Francis, Dhaka University Professor MA Taslim, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta and BARVIDA General Secretary Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury Babar.

Former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda and leading rights activist Aroma Dutta were among the first to arrive on Sunday evening at the celebration venue. Just after them arrived Dhaka University Professor Sadeka Halim.

Terming the news coverage of the country’s first internet newspaper "courageous and unbiased", Shamsul Huda said, "bdnews24 has been presenting news in a courageous and unbiased way for the last 10 years. I do hope their efforts will be multiplied in the challenging days of the country ahead."

Speaking her mind out, activist Aroma appreciated the credibility factor of bdnews24.com.

"bdnews24.com is a remarkable milestone. The newspaper is accepted within and beyond the country, it is very much in sync with world standards. I am really very happy to have a mass medium like it."

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Inu said, "In the process of development of democracy and in developing nations, it is difficult to maintain honest and credible journalism. More so in a country like Bangladesh."

For State Minister Palak, the day begins and ends only after browsing bdnews24.com.

"My day begins with bdnews24.com. I end my day with bdnews24.com too. bdnews24.com stands for all that we mean when we speak of a dependable, credible and passionate news medium," he said.

US Ambassador Bernicat said she banks on bdnews24.com to get news in and on Bangladesh, her current workplace.

"It’s great to be here on the 10th anniversary of bdnews24.com. I have it on all my devices, so I can always access news particularly when I’m travelling,” a smiling Bernicat, attired in a blue saree, said.

Speaking about the media’s role, she said, “You all keep us honest. I’m a government official trying to do my job the best I can, but when I don’t the media is there to keep us in check.”

“It’s not to tear us down but for good which is why freedom of press is so important for a healthy democracy,” she added.

Ambassador Mayaudon said he was happy to join this ceremony.

“I check bdnews24.com every morning. bdnews24.com helps me stay connected with Bangladesh. bdnews24.com is very helpful to me for gathering news," he said and wished to see more editorials on the site.

ICRC Deputy Head of Delegation Boris Kelecevic was also present at the event.

BNP leader and former minister Abdul Moyeen Khan said, "Greetings for the past 10 years. Must keep going."