The 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts

RESPONSE of Matiur Rahman

The honourable Chief Justice, trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, fellow awardees, distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen.

This auspicious ceremony will remain as one of the most joyous moments in my life and in the life of those who helped to build the daily Prothom Alo. We are grateful to Roman Magsaysay Award Foundation for honouring the paper and myself with such a prestigious Award.

The world of mass media today is in turmoil. The post World War II intellectual edifice of international laws, norms and practices are today under serious challenge as the bipolar world learns to deal with one super power international scene. The war on terror and the traditional values of liberalism and open society, on which the western media flourished for so long, are on an apparent collision course. There are clear signs of erosion of the fundamental values of individual freedom and national independence under the pressure to ensure national security, both real and imaginary.

In the developing world new social and economic challenges, the ever-increasing burden of poverty and the marginalisation of the poor have brought the media into deeper questions about their relevance and purpose. Rising corruption, the nexus between politics and crime, the disregard for the law by the rich and the powerful and the clear danger of social outburst caused by neglect and continued discrimination have revealed, as never before, the possible constructive role that an independent and socially committed media can play.

It is within these changing times and demands that the role of Prothom Alo has to be judged. From the very outset we were fully aware that Bangladesh needed a more independent media voice than was so far available. The country needed a newspaper that was bolder in its articulation of the problems that faced us, and more imaginative in its thinking as to how to solve them. Encompassing it all, we needed a more socially responsible newspaper that combined the core value of press freedom with the goal of democracy and people's prosperity.

Thus was Prothom Alo born, and thus has grown its relevance, credibility and popularity. 'People' are at the centre of our journalism. We never forget for a moment that they are our strength, and it is for them that we exist. Hence all our energies are devoted to making the paper closer to the needs of the masses.

We do not dwell on dreams alone, we lend a helping hand to the people, we stand by them in solving their day-to-day problems.

Following are examples of some of the initiatives we took.

1. For the scholastic development of the children, Prothom Alo helped the national committee for Mathematics Olympiad in raising funds and in organising regional and national Mathematics Olympiad competitions across the country for the last three years. A total of 15,000 students have participated in 2004-2005. For the first time a team from Bangladesh participated in the World Mathematics Olympiad in Mexico.

2. We started a campaign to increase sensitivity toward Bangla language and culture by initiating language competitions at the regional and national levels. 4,000 students from 333 schools participated in this programme. Besides this we regularly help young students to organise debates all over the country.

3. During the terrible flood last year, a cross section of people deposited in cash and in kind aid for flood victims that amounted to 166,700 USD. We distributed food and clothing in 44 districts. When the floodwater receded, we, as part of our rehabilitation effort, distributed bamboo, wood, and seeds and fertilizer for farming, as well as chairs, tables and other amenities for schools; doctors were sent and medicines were distributed.

4. We helped Tipu Sultan, a journalist severely injured by the political cadres, in association with The Daily Star by raising the money needed for his treatment.

5. By raising funds we have also extended our help to children and young students affected by cancer or other pernicious diseases.

It is these positive, constructive and timely interventions that have made Prothom Alo a symbol of hope to our people.

In accepting the honour that you have bestowed upon us, we promise to commit ourselves further to serve our people to gain greater freedom and prosperity. We will strive to expand our social commitment and take up newer roles in the area of human rights and economic development.

I would like to declare that one-third of the award money will go to the 'Prothom Alo Aid Fund' for the acid victims, one-third will be deposited to the anti-drug and HIV awareness campaign, and the rest to create a new fund for the deceased and injured journalists who are the victims of political persecution.

Ramon Magsaysay Award will certainly inspire all who are a part of Prothom Alo. We will continue our work for the transformation of the society. Our main ethos is: 'Wherever there is good, Prothom Alo is with it.' We will remain true to this goal.