Eighteen journalists have received the ‘Migration Media Award 2025′ in recognition of their significant contributions to investigative journalism in the migration sector. In this year’s edition, Torikul Islam Mohammad Hasan, Staff Reporter of Banglar Patrika, won the Best Reporter award in the Regional Newspaper category.
On Thursday, marking International Migrants Day, Michael Miller, the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh, handed over the awards to the winners at a ceremony held at a hotel in the capital.
Presided over by BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh, the event featured Max Tuñón, Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Bangladesh, and Joint Secretary Dr. A.T.M. Mahbub-ul Karim, Project Director of the RAISE project under the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, as special guests. The keynote paper was presented by Shahed Muhammad Ali, Editor of Daily Samakal. Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC (Migration and Youth Platform), delivered the welcome address.
In the Regional Newspaper category, Torikul Islam Mohammad Hasan, Staff Reporter of Banglar Patrika, secured the first position. Mohammad Sharif Iqbal of Daily Gramin Darpan took second place, and Ayesha Siddika of Daily Subarnagram came in third.
In the National Daily category, Rajib Ahmed of Daily Samakal won first place. Russell Ahmed of Daily Kaler Kantho placed second, while Kaniz Fatema of The Business Standard and Md. Mohiuddin of Prothom Alo jointly secured the third position.
In the Online category, Kamran Siddiqui, Jashim Uddin, and Saleh Shafiq of The Business Standard won first place. Raihan Ahmed of Jagonews24 came second, and Md. Abdullah of Banglavision placed third.
In the Television News category, Samrat Hossain of Channel 24 came first, Masuda Khatun of News24 second, and Sajid Arafat of Ekhon TV third. The program ‘Talash’ by Independent Television won in the Investigative Television Program category; Nazmul Said and Rakibul Hasan received the award on behalf of the channel. Additionally, Badsha Mia, Chief of Radio Tehran (Dhaka), won in the Radio category. The winners received honorary crests, certificates, and prize money checks.
Chief Guest and EU Ambassador Michael Miller stated that journalists highlight the stories of migrants, which is crucial. Emphasizing the need to control irregular migration from Bangladesh and bring perpetrators to justice, he said migration must be safe. Under the Europe Talent Partnership, Europe will legally recruit skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh. He added that the reintegration of returnees is vital and countries receiving Bangladeshi workers should also step forward in this regard.
In his presidential address, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh observed that migration journalism often prioritizes statistics. However, the stories of the people behind the numbers should come to the fore. “Wherever I go abroad, I hear about the loneliness and various crises of expatriate Bangladeshis. We must stand by these people,” he said.
He further announced that to ensure reporting not just from within Bangladesh but also from countries where expatriates reside, BRAC will facilitate foreign travel for at least two journalists to report from those locations. BRAC will take appropriate initiatives in this regard soon.
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tuñón noted that migration costs from Bangladesh are very high and this problem requires urgent solution. “Why should a person spend 4 to 5 lakh takas to go abroad?” he questioned, commenting that journalists can play a significant role in policy change.
Daily Samakal Editor Shahed Muhammad Ali remarked that migration is now intertwined with agriculture, the economy, remittances, and many other issues, allowing for diverse reporting. He advised journalists to be humble and humane in his speech.
RAISE Project Director Dr. A.T.M. Mahbub-ul Karim informed that a framework is being created to accurately track information on returnees. Once implemented, it will be possible to know how many people are returning and who is leaving. He mentioned that everyone must work together for the progress of the migration sector.
During the interaction session, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Dhaka Federico Giamparelli, ILO National Program Manager Rahnuma Salam Khan, Gender Expert Sheepa Hafiza, Migration Expert Asif Munier, and journalists from various media outlets also spoke.
The judges for the Migration Media Award 2025 were Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment; Professor Robaet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University; Rahnuma Salam Khan, ILO National Program Manager; and Shahnaz Munni, former Chief News Editor of News24.
Notably, BRAC introduced this award in Bangladesh for the first time in 2015 to recognize journalism in the migration sector. This year marks the celebration of a decade of the Migration Media Award. The awards were presented by the Prottasha-2 project, implemented with joint funding from the European Union and BRAC.