Little journalists work at children's hour at bdnews24.com newsroom

The newsroom of bdnews24.com was for children in the afternoon of Universal Children's Day.

Moinul Hoque Chowdhurybdnews24.com
Published : 20 Nov 2017, 09:06 PM
Updated : 3 Feb 2018, 10:08 PM

Nafisa Islam Tultul, Aminur Rahman Hridoy, Sadik Evan, Nanziba Khan and Shila Akter Mou were the child journalists who oozed confidence after ploughing the field for news for 'Hello', the first Bangla website for news for and by children.

They gained new experience on Monday by joining the experienced professional journalists at work in a digital environment.

On Sunday, bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi told a discussion of child journalists following their visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar that children will work in the newsroom like the UN and its agency for children UNICEF on the Children's Day.

When the group of child journalists arrived in the newsroom in the afternoon, Sumon Mahbub of the news gathering team welcomed them in.

News Editor Monirul Islam and Chief Economics Correspondent Abdur Rahim Harmachi giving tips to child journalists on how to work at a newsroom.

Little journalists speaking to bdnews24.com Head of Current Affairs and Editorial Policy Coordinator Gazi Nasiruddin Ahmed at the newsroom on Monday.

While working with the seniors, they received tips from Head of English News Arun Devnath, Head of Current Affairs and Editorial Policy Coordinator Gazi Nasiruddin Ahmed, News Editors Jahidul Kabir and Monirul Islam, Chief Economics Correspondent Abdur Rahim Harmachi, and Prime Minister's Office Correspondent Sumon Mahbub.

The little journalists also shared their experiences.

Nanziba, studying civil aviation now, was in left awe after watching up-close the process of publishing news stories. "Until today, our job was to mail our reports only. I didn't know our reports had gone through so many stages," she said. 

She said she wished to work in editing desk in the future. "It's a difficult job to write for all to read easily."

Child journalists learning how to make a report easy to read.

Evan, a student of BAF Shaheen College in Dhaka, said he was happy to get a 'big platform' through 'Hello'. "I want to keep writing," he said.

Hridoy from Thakurgaon said not all the media outlets give priority to children's news. He said he wanted children's news to get priority in the mainstream media.  

Tultul from Holly Cross Girls High' School and College said she learnt 'many things' at the newsroom.

Mou from Keraniganj joined 'Hello' last year. "I've just started. My confidence is growing gradually. And today's experience has raised my confidence."

Child journalists see first-hand how News Editor Jahidul Kabir edits and publishes reports.

Child journalists learning how to make a report easy to read.

The child journalists asked how bdnews24.com was writing reports so that children can understand news easily.

Arun Devnath said it was a journalist's job to write the report in a way so that the readers can understand news easily, no matter in what language.

"We do it on our English site as well. It's always a big challenge," he said.

Gazi Nasriruddin Ahmed told the child journalists that publishing the information from a press release is not the real job of a journalist. It is called PR journalism.

"A journalist's real job is bringing out the truth the authorities want to hide," he said.   

Child journalists pose for a photo with their senior newsroom managers of bdnews24.com on the Universal Children's Day.

Monirul Islam emphasised being accurate while making reports. "A journalist must be alert at all times to make sure that the information is correct," he said. 

bdnews24.com correspondents Faysal Atik, Nafia Rahman and Sazia Afrin helped the child journalists get acquainted with the newsroom.