Md. Mashiur Rahman Majumder, New York — The America-Bangladesh Press Club marked its 18th anniversary with a seminar, publication of a commemorative magazine, awards and a cultural program in New York. The event was held Tuesday, September 29, at the Gulshan Terrace auditorium in Woodside. The seminar focused on the theme “The Global Media Crisis: Challenges to Media Survival,” bringing together journalists, editors, academics and diplomats to discuss the changing media landscape in Bangladesh, the United States and around the world.

Speakers examined the challenges facing Bangladesh’s media, the professional experiences of Bangladeshi journalists living in the United States, and the impact of social media, artificial intelligence and changing audience habits on traditional journalism. Several speakers emphasized the importance of responsible, objective and investigative journalism. They also discussed concerns over political favoritism, misinformation and declining public trust in news organizations.

The seminar was chaired by America-Bangladesh Press Club President Shawkat Osman Rachi and moderated by former club president Darpan Kabir. Guests included Gholam Mortuza, Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Mohammad Mozammel Haque, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York; and veteran journalist Manzur Ahmed. Panelists included veteran journalist Saeed Tarek; journalist Moinuddin Naser; Bangladesh Patrika editor Dr. Wazed A. Khan; Janmabhumi editor Ratan Talukdar; Prothom Alo North America editor Ibrahim Chowdhury; Probash editor and former Press Club president Mohammad Sayeed; and Shoeb Ahmed Bhuiyan, a lecturer at Columbia University.

Press Club General Secretary Mashiur Rahman Majumder delivered the welcome address. Treasurer Mallika Khan Muna, Vice President Mohammad Manzurul Haque and Joint General Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiq also delivered congratulatory remarks. During the seminar, moderator Darpan Kabir read an article titled “How Is Bangladesh’s Media Doing?” by Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, editor-in-chief of Manab Zamin. Panelists subsequently discussed various aspects of the article and the broader challenges facing journalism.

Veteran journalist Manzur Ahmed said that when media outlets engage in misinformation, propaganda or attempts to conceal the truth, audiences will turn to social media and other alternative sources for information. Such practices, he said, can undermine the credibility of mainstream media. He also stressed the importance of journalists developing strong news-writing skills and maintaining a habit of reading and learning, noting concerns over the decline of traditional reporting skills.

Bangladesh Embassy Press Minister Gholam Mortuza discussed the role of media owners and editors in the challenges facing Bangladesh’s media. He said political favoritism has contributed to a loss of public confidence in some media organizations. Consul General Mohammad Mozammel Haque said audiences want accurate information and objective journalism. He noted that social media has become an important source of information in today’s media environment.

Veteran journalist Saeed Tarek said journalism in Bangladesh has changed significantly from the 1960s and 1970s. He pointed to the challenges created by social media and also noted that financial difficulties, including problems with journalists receiving regular salaries, can affect responsible journalism.

Dr. Wazed A. Khan said the media industry is facing challenges worldwide as audience behavior continues to change. He highlighted the growing influence of social media and artificial intelligence on print and electronic media and emphasized the responsibility of professional news organizations to verify information and counter misinformation.

Journalist Moinuddin Naser stressed the importance of integrity in journalism, saying honesty must remain a fundamental principle of the profession. Shoeb Ahmed Bhuiyan said responsible journalism becomes difficult when journalists become overly aligned with those in power. He also noted that a country’s economic conditions can have an impact on its media industry and broader society.

Probash editor Mohammad Sayeed said Bangla-language media outlets in the diaspora play an important role in building community connections and maintaining ties between Bangladesh and expatriate Bangladeshis. He also pointed to declining readership and challenges facing community newspapers abroad.

Ibrahim Chowdhury, editor of Prothom Alo North America, said the media crisis is not new and has appeared in different forms over time. He cautioned against attributing the current challenges solely to artificial intelligence or technology, saying changes in technology, audience behavior, news consumption and media business models have all contributed to the transformation of journalism.

Janmabhumi editor Ratan Talukdar said media challenges existed in the past and will continue in the future. He emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant to prevent false information from being presented as news. Following the seminar, organizers cut a cake to mark the Press Club’s 18th anniversary. The commemorative publication “Alokbartika”, released to mark the club’s milestone, was also unveiled during the event. Publication editor Tofazzal Liton delivered remarks on the occasion.

The America-Bangladesh Press Club also honored singer M.A. Soaib and actress Moushumi with special commemorative awards. Renowned singer Rathindranath Roy presented the award to M.A. Soaib, while Press Minister Gholam Mortuza and Consul General Mohammad Mozammel Haque presented the award to actress Moushumi.

Guests were welcomed with roses by representatives of the Press Club. The evening concluded with a cultural program featuring musical performances by M.A. Soaib and Tina Russell. Community leaders, journalists, businesspeople, cultural figures and Press Club members attended the anniversary celebration with their families.

Dhaka: The voice behind one of Bangladesh’s most consequential journeys into digital journalism has fallen silent. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, has died at the age of 59. He was taken to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23pm local time on Friday. Khalidi had been in London on a private visit, his family said, when he suddenly fell ill. His death came just three weeks before bdnews24.com was due to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Oct 23 — an occasion he had been actively planning.

“We were preparing to celebrate our 20th anniversary on Oct 23. Toufique bhai himself was planning everything. Overall, he was incredibly energised and enthusiastic. But everything ended three weeks before that. This is an irreparable loss for us,” a bdnews24.com spokesperson said. The date for bringing Khalidi’s body back to Bangladesh has not yet been decided. His family will announce the time and place of the funeral prayers and burial once arrangements have been finalised. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over Khalidi’s death, describing him as a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in Bangladesh.

“Toufique Imrose Khalidi was a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in the country. With his death, the country has lost an experienced, gracious and distinguished media personality. His contribution to journalism and the media will be remembered for a long time,” he said in a condolence message. Recalling his personal memories of Khalidi with deep respect, the president added, “Toufique Imrose Khalidi’s death is extremely painful for me.”

Khalidi was born on Jun 14, 1967. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the Dhaka University in 1987, studying political science and international relations as subsidiary subjects. Khalidi would go on to complete a Master’s in English Literature from the same university. He started in population research in 1987 and worked for Save the Children Fund (UK) before entering journalism.

Khalidi worked at a number of publications over the course of a lengthy journalistic career. He was the assistant editor at the Sunday Express from 1989 to 1991, a diplomatic correspondent at The Daily Star from 1991 to 1993, a senior correspondent at The Financial Express from 1993 to 1995, and then as assistant editor and lead writer at the publication while also covering major events as special correspondent.

From 1996 to 1997, he worked for Paris-based Europe, a quarterly journal published by Journalists in Europe Foundation in Paris. He was the assistant editor and head of the Business and Economy Desk at The Daily Star from 1997 to 1998. From 1999 to 2000, he was the news editor of the English daily’s Weekend Edition. During this time, he was also the joint news editor at the newspaper.

Khalidi joined the BBC World Service in 2000 and worked as a producer and presenter of news and current affairs programmes in addition to producing reports and features on business and economic issues until 2005. He was also the anchor of a monthly debate programme.

In July 2006, he became the editor-in-chief and managing director of bdnews24.com, also serving as the director and stakeholder of its owning company Bangladesh News 24 Hours Ltd. Following the takeover by Khalidi, BDNEWS relaunched as Bangladesh’s first free online newspaper and was rebranded as bdnews24.com.