TBT DESK: Saleh Rony, Senior Reporter of the daily Samakal, has been honoured with the Nagad–DRU (Dhaka Reporters Unity) Best Reporting Award 2025 in the category of political, administrative, judiciary and Election Commission reporting. He received the award for his five-part investigative series titled “Crisis in the Judiciary,” published in Samakal between 17 and 21 October last year.

The award ceremony was held on Sunday, at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha. With this recognition, Rony has set a remarkable record—winning the DRU Best Reporting Award 12 times, an unprecedented achievement in Bangladeshi journalism.
Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser, Ministry of Finance, attended the event as chief guest and handed over the awards to the winners. Chairman, Managing Board-BPO-Nagad Kaiser A Chowdhury was present as special guests. Presided over by Abu Saleh Akon, President, DRU the function was also attended by Jury Board Chair and Editor of the Financial Express Shamsul Huq Zahid, while DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel delivered the welcome remarks.

This year, 27 journalists were awarded in 24 categories, including six who were jointly awarded in three categories. Awardees received a crest, a certificate, and a cheque of Tk 50,000.
The five-part series published last October examined long-standing challenges in the judiciary, including government interference, corruption and irregularities, chronic case backlog, budget formulation issues, and limitations in project implementation. Alongside expert opinions, the reports shed light on underlying structural factors contributing to the ongoing crisis.

Over one and half decade of his journalism career, Abu Saleh Rony has previously won the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award twice for his reporting on the Liberation War, as well as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Award for investigative work on corruption. He has also received multiple recognitions for reporting on law and justice, women and children, culture, and other areas.

Abu Saleh Rony Creates History With 12 DRU Best Reporting Awards
In a landmark moment for Bangladeshi journalism, Samakal’s Senior Reporter Abu Saleh Rony has once again captured national attention—this time by setting an unprecedented record. Rony has been honoured with the Nagad–DRU Best Reporting Award 2025, securing his 12th DRU award, a feat unmatched in the country’s media landscape.

The award was presented in the category of political, administrative, judiciary, and Election Commission reporting for his hard-hitting five-part investigative series, “Crisis in the Judiciary,” published in Samakal between 17 and 21 October last year.

The award ceremony, held on Sunday at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, was attended by Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance; Science & Technology, as chief guest and handed the awards to the winners. Kaiser A Chowdhury, Chairman of the Managing Board of BPO–Nagad, attended as special guest. The program was presided over by Abu Saleh Akon, President of DRU, with Shamsul Huq Zahid, Editor of The Financial Express and Chair of the Jury Board, also present. DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel delivered the welcome address.
For Rony, this honour adds another milestone to an already decorated career spanning more than nineteen years. He is a two-time recipient of the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award for his exceptional reporting on the Liberation War and has previously earned the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Award for groundbreaking investigations into corruption. His contributions across diverse beats—including law and justice, women and children, culture, administration, and national issues—have cemented his reputation as one of the country’s most fearless and consistent investigative journalists.

Abu Saleh Rony, the fearless Senior Reporter of Samakal, has created an unprecedented record by winning the Nagad–DRU Best Reporting Award 2025 — his 12th DRU Award. No journalist in the country has ever climbed this high.
This year’s honour comes for his explosive five-part investigative series “Crisis in the Judiciary”, a report that shook the nation. Rony uncovered the deep cracks hidden inside the justice system — political pressure, corruption, endless backlogs, neglected budgets, and stalled reforms. His work forced the country to confront truths many preferred to ignore.
With a career spanning nearly 20 years — decorated with the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award, ACC Media Award, and many others — Rony has become a symbol of courage in journalism.