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‘We've won at times, lost at others, but never bowed down. We’ve stood tall again,’ says the bdnews24.com editor-in-chief
Published : 24 Oct 2024, 03:57 AM
The 18-year journey of bdnews24.com has been a vibrant tapestry woven with moments of joy and streaked with threads of sorrow. Along the way, it has faced formidable challenges from the 'influential,' yet the trailblazer of Bangladesh’s digital news era has stood resolute, unwavering in its pursuit of delivering 'accurate news first.'
At a modest gathering on Wednesday, where past and present colleagues came together to celebrate the coming of age, Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi reflected on the bittersweet memories, recalling the triumphs and trials that have shaped this pioneering news platform.
“bdnews24.com has done its best journalism during the worst times,” he said.
This year, bdnews24.com, which has consistently delivered ‘credible news first' amidst turbulent times, has adopted the slogan 'Zero Spin...18 Years On”.
Throughout this long journey, the platform that introduced many innovations to online journalism in Bangladesh has remained unwavering in its commitment to honesty in news reporting and publishing.
Reflecting on the journey, Editor-in-Chief Khalidi said, “The 18-year journey has not been easy. There have been problems, difficulties, and pain. There has been injustice and oppression. There has been joy, enthusiasm, and challenges.
“We have won sometimes, lost sometimes. But we never bowed down; we got back up. We have been hurt, but we rose again. Just as we made many enemies, we also made many friends.”
He believes that it is because 'the number of friends is much higher than that of enemies' that bdnews24.com has been able to stand against the injustice and oppression it faced.
He added, “Our core strength has been that, during the worst times, we have done our best work. Journalism is like that — amidst much hardship and much injustice, we have been able to deliver the best.”
It has introduced many innovations to Bangladesh's journalism. bdnews24.com was at the forefront of launching online journalism in the country; it was again the first to introduce a 24-hour active newsroom. Through it, Bangladeshis read the first-ever Bangla SMS on mobile phones.
It also launched the first Bangla-language website for children, as well as the first website for young journalists.
Reflecting on bdnews24.com’s impact over the last 18 years, Khalidi recalled the institution’s fight for accurate, fact-based journalism in a landscape where sensationalism once ruled.
“There was a time when political reporting in Bangladesh was dominated by unchecked stories. When we began including sources in our reports, it became much harder for reporters to print whatever they wanted,” he said.
bdnews24.com quickly captured readers' attention with its motto ‘accurate news first.’ The nearly one crore ‘likes’ on its Facebook page today are a testament to that trust.
During the anniversary event, both former and current colleagues touched upon the five-year ordeal of what they described as harassment through corruption charges, from which Khalidi was recently acquitted.
In recalling bdnews24.com's struggle for journalistic independence, Khalidi said, “We’ve fought a significant battle to remain independent in news reporting. We’ve never allowed ourselves to be subdued, and we’ve never bowed down. After going through some of the toughest situations, we’ve come out victorious, and we’ll continue to stand tall in the days ahead. No one can push us down.”
He pointed to efforts by 'political thugs and corrupt businessmen' to malign bdnews24.com, saying, “They’ve tried to harm us, run smear campaigns, and apply economic pressure. Journalists have been threatened and harassed. I have been personally targeted. But we’ve fought on together.”
As the newsroom turns 18, Khalidi also spoke about transitioning leadership to a new generation.
“At our 10th anniversary, I said it was time for me to step down. Over the past eight years, we haven't been able to create that environment, and I haven't been able to step aside,” he said.
“I hope a young leader will take the reins soon. We have many qualified, skilled, and hardworking colleagues who have devoted their lives to good journalism. I believe they will lead bdnews24.com into the future.”
Current and former colleagues also reflected on bdnews24.com’s battles to uphold journalism with integrity while resisting harassment.
Former colleague Sulaiman Niloy said, “If one were to write the story of objective journalism in post-independence Bangladesh, they would have to include bdnews24.com’s 18 years.”
Niloy added, “There should be research on the struggle for media freedom, and bdnews24.com’s fight should be part of it. I’ve seen how uncompromising editor Toufique Khalidi has been in upholding journalistic standards. This story must be preserved for the new generation.”
Moinul Haque Chowdhury, deputy chief reporter, said that while working at bdnews24.com has taught him a lot, there have been external pressures to deal with.
“We’ve faced various crises, but I hope we’ll overcome them, especially our financial difficulties,” he said.
FORMER, CURRENT COLLEAGUES REFLECT ON BDNEWS24.COM'S 18-YEAR JOURNEY
Former news editor Munirul Islam noted that bdnews24.com's 18-year journey closely parallels the evolution of Bangladesh’s online news media over the same time span.
He said, “I am here today not just because I worked at bdnews24.com. I see these 18 years as the journey of Bangladesh’s online journalism.”
“Because it was through bdnews24.com that online journalism in Bangladesh began. So, today is not just a day for bdnews24.com; it is a special day for the entire landscape of online journalism in Bangladesh.”
Chief News Editor Jahidul Kabir said although bdnews24.com has completed 18 years, more time is needed for it to reach full maturity.
“Today, we may have come of age. We are celebrating this. When we gather again in the future, we may be able to gauge how mature we have become. We will grow even more mature. There is still a lack of maturity in our media. Hopefully, we will be able to fill that gap.”
Former colleague Mujtaba Hakim Plato was struck by the anniversary’s slogan ‘Zero Spin,’ seeing it as a reflection of bdnews24.com’s journey.
He said, “Zero Spin is an amazing slogan. It’s unique. While others spun stories, bdnews24.com remained steady; it never bowed to storms.”
bdnews24.com’s News Editor Ruhul Amin Rana, who previously worked in reporting, said he continues to learn.
“After returning to bdnews24.com for the second time, I have learnt many new things in journalism. Despite the changes, bdnews24.com has maintained its position. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.”
Special Assignments Editor Rajib Noor said, “bdnews24.com has come of age, and so has online journalism in Bangladesh.”
“When bdnews24.com first introduced online journalism in Bangladesh, we were very eager to understand it. It’s been two years since I joined, and I can say I haven’t found a better work environment than in bdnews24.com.”
Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, also known as Mustafiz Mamun, head of news photography, who has been with bdnews24.com for 18 years, said: “I have stayed here for so long because I enjoy working at bdnews24.com.”
Former multimedia department employee Afrin Mim said, “bdnews24.com is like an educational institution for me because it was my first workplace; this is where I learnt the ropes.”
“As a result, I was able to apply my institutional knowledge here. Every aspect of journalism I learnt here is helping me in my current workplace. I want to carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.”
