JournalismPakistan.com
November 04, 2021

DHAKA—Bangladeshi female reporter Rozina Islam, who is facing a case filed under the Official Secrets Act by the Health Ministry, has won this year’s Free Press Award for courageous journalism, Dhaka Tribune reported.

The journalist, associated with the Prothom Alo newspaper, won the award under the “Most Resilient Journalist 2021” category.
 
As an investigative journalist working for the largest daily newspaper in Bangladesh, she “uncovered wrongdoings in her country’s health spending and is now facing trial and tribulation in her country,” said the organization.

However, she could not join the award-giving program at The Hague since the government had seized her passport. Reportedly, her husband, Md Monirul Islam, received the award from renowned Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir at the program.

Rozina Islam attended the program virtually. “I dedicate this award to those journalists of the country who are carrying out journalism amid hostility. When I walked out of jail, I vowed to continue journalism. And after receiving this award, I am reiterating my vow that my fight will continue.”

Local authorities arrested Rozina Islam on May 17 this year for allegedly taking pictures of sensitive official documents related to COVID-19 vaccine purchase and other deals at its secretariat office. She was released on bail on May 23.