Published: 09 December 2014
To celebrate the International Anti-Corruption Day 2014, TIB on 9 December organized two events: a) distribution of prizes to six winners of investigative journalism awards 2014 and a discussion on the current perspective on the Bangladesh's journalism and b) distribution of prizes to cartoonists and opening of the week-long cartoon against corruption exhibition. CCC-YES network also organized rallies, discussions, human chain, cartoon exhibitions, street theaters, anti-corruption oath-taking and various other outreach activities in 45 locations in the country. Tens of thousands of people, public officials and representatives, professionals, civil society, media, business and young students from schools, colleges and universities joined these IACD events.
In the capital, the lively discussion on ‘Contemporary journalism in Bangladesh’ by Mr. Khaled Mohiuddin, Chief of News, Independent Television and Mr. Robayet Ferdous, Associate Professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka enthralled the audience. Three young journalists also shared their professional experiences highlighting the need for self-retrospection by the media leaders to improve the quality of journalism in the country. Professor Dr Gowher Rizvi, International Affaires Adviser to the Prime Minister defended the significance of freedom of expression and also underscored the importance of objective journalism to promote good governance in the country.
This year’s winner in national print media category was Arup Roy of daily Prothom Alo for his report that unearthed how more than 1000 police constables secured jobs using fake address and identities. H M Alauddin of Daily Purbanchol from Khulna won in the regional print media category for uncovering sorry state of heath services in Khulna district. The award on electronic media category was won by Sajjad Parvez of Jamuna Television for exposing malpractices by unscrupulous associations in the name of human rights promotion. Three camerapersons involved with this documentary were also awarded. As prizes, all awardees received a crest, a certificate and Taka 80,000.00 each, while three camerapersons also received crests, certificates and Taka 20,000.00.
In the afternoon, prizes were distributed to cartoonists who joined TIB’s cartoon competition 2014. H.E. Mr Johan Frisell, the Swedish Ambassador and H.E. Ms Hanne Fugl Eskjaer, the Danish Ambassador in Bangladesh attuned as Guests of Honour and gave away the prizes and also inaugurated the week-long cartoon exhibition at the DRIK Gallery, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
It may be mentioned here that as part of TIB’s Youth Engagement & Support (YES) programme of TIB, these competitions and exhibitions are aimed at creating greater awareness and motivation among the young generation to SAY NO TO Corruption. The Competition is organized in two age categories: 13-18 Group A, and 19-35 Group B. A jury board comprising eminent cartoonists of the country select cartoons from each group. Apart from the best 3 cartoons which receive award money, crest and certificate (1st prize Tk. 60 Thousand, 2nd prize Tk. 40 Thousand & 3rd Prize Tk. 30 Thousand), cartoonists are also selected for recognition as “Special Mention” who receive token cash awards and certificate.
This year’s winners in cartoon competitions are : Group A (Age 13-18), 1st prize: S M Asif Bin Gaffar and 2nd position: Mahamudul Hasan Imon. In group B category (Age 19-35), Md. Faridur Rahman Rajib, Arafat Karim and Mehedi Haque won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. The cartoon exhibition at DRIK Gallery will remain opened from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm daily from today till 16 December. Those 58 cartoons can also be viewed online from here.
Earlier, on 8 December, TIB organized a human chain at the University of Dhaka with this theme: Vigilant conscience, invincible youth, shall surely resist corruption’. A large number of YES including network members joined the human chain where Professor Nasrin Ahamad, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka read out anti-corruption oath. TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman called upon the Prime Minister to recognize and observe the IACD officially in Bangladesh.
TIB began celebrating this year’s IACD on 1st December. On that day the Bangladesh National Cricket Team expressed solidarity with TIB’s campaign pronouncing ‘Say NO to Corruption’ during the 5th one-day international match against Zimbabwe at Mirpur Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Fourteen players of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team posed for a photo-session before the start of the match holding up a banner with the slogan ‘Say No to Corruption’, thus demonstrating their public commitment to fight corruption. Pursuant to TIB’s advocacy, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also set up two permanent display boards with the same message in the stadium grounds to affirm their commitment to weed out corruption from the Bangladesh cricket arena.
