Staff Correspondent

Sikder Zabir Hossen, Patuakhali District Correspondent of Somoy Television, has bern awarded 'Bangladesh Press Council Medal-2023' on rural journalism.

He was awarded the medal in the 'Rural Journalism' category for his investigative and creative reporting on rural life in the country. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Arafat Ali presented the medal at a function organized by the Press Council and the Ministry of Information at Thattothy Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.

Chairman of Press Council Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim chaired the function and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Kazi Keramat Ali MP, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Humayun Kabir Khondkar and Chairman and Jury Board Member of Dhaka University Mass Communication and Journalism Department Dr. Md. Abul Mansoor Ahmed and other dignitaries were present.

Zabir Hossen was born in Baherchar village of Rangabali Upazila, an island surrounded by sea and river in Patuakhali district. He is the second of three children of Moulavi Abdur Rauf and Khadija Begum.He completed Honours and Masters in Political Science from Patuakhali Govt College.

Zabir Hossen started his journalism career in 2014 by in daily Inqilab newspaper. He has worked in several national dailies including Dainik Jugantar and Daily Observer in a decade-long journalism career. He is a member of Barishal Journalist Union affiliated to BFUJ - Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist.

His role was unique in bringing the problems and potential of the South Coast to the countrymen through investigative reporting on the coast. Ignoring storms, floods and high tides, he presented the picture of the misery to people of the remote villages.

A special report by Sikder Zabir Hossen was aired on Time Television in 2022 on the topic "There is no hospital in Rangabali, an island surrounded by seas and rivers, doctors who are relying on the trust of two lakh people and Kaviraj's talisman-charm". The report paints a grim picture of healthcare in the Char region.

After that the construction work of upazila health complex started in Rangabali. Like a drop of light in the darkness, a glimmer of happiness appeared among the islanders. In addition, he has played an important role in the development of the country through the report on the possibility of new sea ports built in remote villages and multiple power plants.

In this way, this young journalist has made a special contribution to rural journalism. So he won the medal in the rural journalism category in the 'Press Council Padak-2022'.

Medals are awarded annually to four journalists and two institutions. This time, the national daily Bhorer Kagaj and the regional daily Cox's Bazar won medals in the organization category.

Editor Shyamal Dutta received the medal on behalf of Bhorer Kagaj and Fatema Jahan received the medal on behalf of Dainik Cox's Bazar.

Besides, Iqbal Farhad, producer of Bangladesh Television, received a medal in the development journalism category. Jharna Moni, Senior Reporter of Dainik Bhorer Kagaj won the medal in the women category. Late Noor Jahan, Editor of Dainik Begum newspaper, received the posthumous medal in the lifetime honors category. She died in 2016. Her daughter journalist Noor Jahan Flora Nasreen Khan received the medal on behalf of her.

One lakh taka, a crest, and a certificate are given as awards in the organization category. And in the individual category, 50 thousand rupees, a crest, and a certificate are awarded.

It is noted that this is the highest state award in reporting. This medal is awarded to one journalist every year on rural journalism category from the departments and districts outside Dhaka. This is the first time a journalist working in Barishal Division has won the Press Council Medal.