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on freedom of expression and the right to question power” and urged journalists to remain courageous while exercising caution.

Kamal Ahmed, consulting editor of The Daily Star, said the spirit of practising journalism without fear or favour will endure as long as the newspaper survives.

Aasha Mehreen Amin, joint editor of the newspaper, said, “Yes, many challenges came our way last year, but there were positive moments too -- several of our journalists received awards for investigative and business reporting.”

“Over the years, our journalism has improved, but there is always room for growth, and that is what we must strive for in the future,” she added.

In a message read out by Aasha Mehreen Amin, Simeen Rahman, director of Mediaworld Limited, said the newspaper remains “a fearless guardian of facts and a pillar of Bangladesh’s democracy”.

She praised the Daily for upholding “journalism without fear or favour” since 1991, reflecting the vision of its founding chairman Latifur Rahman.

The event, hosted by Naziba Basher, also featured speeches from Imran Faiz Rahman, director of Mediaworld Limited, among others.

During the programme, 34 journalists and staff members were honoured for outstanding performance.

Mashfiq Mizan and Naimur Rahman won the Best Investigative Reporting–2025 award for their joint investigation by The Daily Star and Tech Global Institute, which revealed how a Dhaka neighbourhood became a hotspot of state-sanctioned killings during the July uprising.

Md Mohiuddin Alamgir was named Best Reporter, while Md Abbas and Sajjad Hossain received the “Special Recognition–2025” award for their outstanding performance throughout the year.

Osham-ul-Sufian Talukder was awarded “Best Sub-Editor–2025”.

Nafis Almas Siam and Subrata Roy won the “Most Promising Sub-Editor – 2025” award.

S Dilip Roy was named Best District Reporter, and Palash Khan won the Best Photographer award.

Other awardees included Tamanna Khan (Best in Editorial & OP-ED–2025), Debashis Kumar Day (Best in Creative Graphics–2025), Prabir Das (Most Talked-About Photo–2025), Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha (Best Business Reporter–2025), Masukuj Jaman Tapader (Best in Star Sports–2025), Prajukta Roy Chowdhury (Best in Digital Desk [English]–2025), SK Abdullah Ibne Karim (Best in Social Media–2025), Abu Talha (Best in Digital Desk [Bangla]–2025), Maisha Tasnim Sreshtha (Best in Arts & Entertainment–2025) and Rahfat Salman Abir (Best in Print Business–2025).

Staff members from other departments were also recognised. They are Md Monsur Ali (Evergreen Employee of the Year–2025), Muhammad Tanjim Ferdous (Best in Development Sector–2025), Rajeeb Ahmed Khan (Best in Marketing–2025), Anowar Hossain (Best in Accounts–2025), Gulam Kibria (Production Person of the Year–2025), Mazidul Mobarok Rayhan (Circulation Person of the Year–2025), Md Istiak Ahmed Bappy (Best in HR & Admin–2025), SM Intisab Shahriyar (Best in Star Lifestyle–2025), Shams Rashid Tonmoy (Best in Tech & Startup–2025), Abir Hossain (Best in Campus, Rising Stars & Star Youth–2025), Miftahul Jannat (Best in Slow Reads–2025), Tafsir Ahmed Sagar (Best in Multimedia–2025), Md Imam Hossan Chowdhury (Best in IT–2025) and Md Arif Hossain (Best in Digital Operations–2025).

The DS Revenue Team received the Team of the Year–2025 award.