5 October 2005

BANGLADESHI EDITOR WINS RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD


Matiur Rahman, the founder and editor of Bangladesh's largest circulation Bangla-language newspaper, "Prothom Alo" ("First Light"), has been named the winner of the 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.

Described as a "navigator of positive social and cultural change" in Bangladesh, Rahman uses his newspaper to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, expose the role of Muslim extremists in fomenting violence, and condemn the cruelty of acid throwing - an increasingly common practice in the country where hundreds of mostly young women are disfigured each year for refusing marriage or sex.

Rahman is often harassed and threatened for his work. Founded in 1998, "Prothom Alo" now has a circulation of 2 million.

Named after a former president of the Philippines, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards honour individuals in the Asia-Pacific region who are making outstanding contributions to society. It is one of the most prestigious awards in Asia and often dubbed the region's "Nobel" prize.

Visit: http://www.rmaf.org.ph/index.php



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Also from the Communiqué, 5 October 2005

COLOMBIA: OAS RIGHTS EXPERT URGES END TO IMPUNITY 5 October 2005 LEBANON: ASSASSINATIONS HAUNT THE PRESS 5 October 2005 IRAQ: RUMSFELD AGREES TO ANSWER MEDIA SAFETY CONCERNS 5 October 2005 PHILIPPINES: CMFR OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS 5 October 2005 UNITED STATES: NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER RELEASED FROM JAIL 5 October 2005 MEXICO: MEXICO: IAPA CAMPAIGNS AGAINST IMPUNITY 5 October 2005 MOLDOVA: IJC MOLDOVA ANALYSES MEDIA'S ELECTION COVERAGE 5 October 2005 INTERNATIONAL: ARTICLE 19 STUDY ANALYSES MEDIA AND CONFLICT 5 October 2005

Bangladesh

Journalist brutally attacked 22 May 2012 Journalists attacked, injured in intensifying political conflict 18 May 2012 Editor receives threat 25 April 2012 Authorities turn up the heat on journalists 21 March 2012 Live telecast of opposition rally blocked in Dhaka 16 March 2012 See all alerts: Bangladesh


Asia and Pacific

VIETNAM: Call for release of Catholic activists 23 May 2012 CAMBODIA: Boeung Kak lake residents arrested by police while on peaceful protest 23 May 2012 PAKISTAN: Cameraman, reporter shot while covering protest rally; journalist detained and beaten in Wana 23 May 2012 KIRIBATI: Government encouraged to set end-date for newspaper ban 23 May 2012 NEPAL: Attacks on the press continue during NEFIN protests 23 May 2012


 
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