TBS journalist Jui wins Meena Media Award

Ummay Marzan Jui, a journalist of The Business Standard, has recently won Unicef Meena Media Awards for her report on how climate change is undermining education in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Jui was awarded under the category of text-based "Journalistic reporting that promotes child-rights" for her report published in The Business Standard on 30 June 2021.

This year, Unicef's (United Nations Children's Fund) Meena Media Awards honoured 22 journalists for their reporting on child rights in Bangladesh in 2021. The jury board picked the reports from 700 submissions. The event also awarded reporting by child journalists.

Launched in 2005, the Meena Media Awards recognises excellence in journalistic reporting that promotes the cause of children. The event also celebrated Unicef's 75th anniversary and the progress achieved for the world's children while highlighting the work that remains to be done.

The stories told by this year's Meena Media Award winners were of children orphaned by Covid-19, children living with the impacts of climate change, and children missing out on their education. But there are also tales of the unstoppable resilience and courage of children trapped in poverty, child labour and child marriage.

Sheldon Yett, the Unicef representative to Bangladesh, said, "The media plays a vital role in drawing public attention to critical issues and in holding decision-makers accountable for improving children's lives. The Meena Media Awards also recognise reporting by child journalists, reminding us how important it is to give children space to speak up directly on issues that matter to them."

Robaet Ferdous, professor of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, who was one of the judges this year, said, "There were powerful stories this year and in coming days, we hope to see even more child-sensitive, ethical reporting."

Other 21 winners of the Meena Media Awards 2021 are Emran Hossain from Daily Odhikar, Dipu Malakar, Md Samsur Rahman, Md Sazzadur Rahman, and Md Sazid Hossain from Prothom Alo, Nilima Jahan and Prabir Das from The Daily Star, Kohinur Khyum from Dhaka Tribune, Md Shahedul Islam from Bangla Tribune, Md Boni Amin from newsbangla24.com, Adnan Rahman and Jasim Uddin from Dhaka Post, Rafsan Nijhum from bdnews24.com, Khairul Bashar Ashik from NTV, Nadia Sharmeen from Ekattor TV, Marzia Hashmi Momo from Somoy TV, Ismail Hossain Jewel from GTV, Pial Saha from Ajker Gopalganj, Afrin Akter and Fahmida Faiza Sorgo, and Tahmina Flora, ATN Bangla.