SPECIAL PROFILE
Journalism is often described as a profession of asking questions, seeking answers and telling stories that matter. For Mynul Islam, it has been a journey of more than two decades—one that began in the newsrooms of Bangladesh and gradually expanded to the international media landscape of New York.
Since beginning his journalism career in 2004, Islam has worked across television news, field reporting, newsroom management, international affairs, journalism education and media entrepreneurship. His professional journey has taken him from covering major national events in Bangladesh to reporting on global developments at the United Nations in New York.
Today, he works with Channel i as an Anchor and Special Correspondent, bringing international affairs, community issues and major global developments to Bangladeshi audiences. Alongside his broadcasting career, he is involved in developing media platforms that connect Bangladesh with its growing international diaspora.
Islam entered journalism in 2004, beginning a career that would span several major television organizations.
In 2009, he joined Ekushey Television (ETV) as a reporter. His reporting experience and newsroom responsibilities led to his promotion to Staff Reporter in 2015. During this period, he covered significant national developments, including the Rana Plaza disaster, the Rohingya crisis, political developments and emerging issues involving technology and society.
In 2016, he joined Gazi Satellite Television (GTV) as a Staff Reporter. He subsequently took on the responsibility of Assignment Editor, contributing to newsroom coordination, news planning, editorial decisions and assignment management. He also hosted a live television program and appeared on talk shows across different television channels.
These experiences helped him develop a professional understanding of journalism beyond field reporting—from identifying important stories to coordinating newsroom operations and presenting news to audiences.
A significant chapter of Islam's career began with his growing involvement in international journalism in the United States.
Based in New York, he has covered the United Nations General Assembly during 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. His reporting interests have also included the World Bank, BIMSTEC, international economic developments and global affairs.
Covering international institutions requires more than reporting official statements. It demands an understanding of diplomacy, international relations, economic policy and the consequences of global decisions for ordinary people.
Through his work with Channel i, Islam has sought to make complex international developments accessible to Bangladeshi audiences.
He has also been involved in media accreditation-related activities connected with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reflecting his continued engagement with major international media events.
Beyond news reporting, he anchors television programs and hosts a law and immigration-focused program in which attorneys discuss legal developments, immigration issues and public-interest matters. The program aims to make complicated legal topics more understandable to viewers.
For Islam, journalism is not limited to reporting the news. Equally important is preparing the next generation of professionals who will carry the responsibility of informing society.
From 2014 to 2023, he served as a part-time journalism instructor at the Bangladesh Institute of Journalism and Electronic Media (BIJEM). During his tenure, he developed and taught a practical journalism curriculum covering reporting, news presentation, live reporting and mobile journalism.
His training approach emphasized practical newsroom experience and the use of modern technology in journalism. Mobile journalism, in particular, introduced students to producing news reports using smartphones, from recording interviews and presenting stories to editing and preparing content for publication.
Many of his former students have subsequently entered professional journalism and joined media organizations.
His contribution to professional evaluation has also extended beyond teaching. Islam has served multiple times as a judge and jury member for the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Best Reporting Award, participating in the assessment and recognition of journalistic work.
Islam's experience as a reporter and trainer eventually found another expression in publishing.
In 2024, he published his Bangla-language book, Mobile Journalism and Digital Media Career (মোবাইল সাংবাদিকতা ও ডিজিটাল মিডিয়া ক্যারিয়ার).
Subtitled A Complete Guide to Journalism, Freelancing and Content Creation on One Phone, the book introduces aspiring journalists and digital media professionals to the practical skills needed in modern journalism.
It covers smartphone video production, interviewing, piece-to-camera reporting, live reporting, voice-over, news writing and mobile video editing. It also explores freelancing and digital content creation as potential career paths.
The book grew out of his years of teaching and practical newsroom experience. Dedicated to new journalists and his former students, it reflects his belief that access to technology can create new opportunities for people who want to enter the media profession.
Over the years, Islam has received recognition from media organizations and professional bodies for his journalism and reporting.
His professional recognitions include the 2014 Best Reporting Award from Ekushey Television; the Vorer Bangladesh Best Reporting Award for 2015, presented in 2016; a Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh (TRAB) award in 2017 for investigative reporting; and the GTV Award in 2019.
He subsequently received recognition from the Bangladesh Cultural Reporters' Association in 2020 and the Cultural Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh in 2022 for his contributions to cultural journalism.
His more recent honors include the VTVUS Award in 2025, Channel i recognition in 2026, and a special recognition from Time Television at its 12th anniversary celebration in September 2026 for his contributions to journalism among the Bangladeshi diaspora.
In October 2026, he was also recognized at the Global Summit on Paid Period Leave in New York for his journalism and efforts to raise public awareness of paid menstrual leave.
He has additionally received recognition for his contribution to journalism at the 40th FOBANA Convention.
For Islam, professional recognition carries a responsibility to continue improving the quality and impact of journalism.
Throughout his career, Islam has continued to pursue professional development.
In 2014, he received journalism training from a Deutsche Welle (DW) team at Ekushey Television. In 2015, he also participated in a special media workshop organized by USAID.
He also completed an English-language course at the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka, where he received the Best Student Award.
His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB). The combination of business, legal and media experience has informed his work on economic reporting, public affairs and immigration-related programming.
Alongside his television career, Islam has become involved in media entrepreneurship and publishing.
He leads The Bangla Hour, including its online news platform, BanglaHour.com, and Bangla Hour TV. The platforms focus on Bangladesh, international affairs, business, immigration, politics and the experiences of Bangladeshi communities living abroad.
He also founded The Business Hour Magazine in New York, extending his professional interests into business journalism and publishing.
His work with these platforms reflects a broader vision: creating opportunities for Bangladeshi voices to reach audiences beyond national borders while keeping expatriate communities informed about developments in their homeland.
He serves as International Affairs Secretary of the International Relations Reporters Forum, Bangladesh, and maintains professional affiliations with the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Broadcast Journalists Center (BJC) and Technology Media Guild Bangladesh (TMGB) and America Bangladesh Press Club (ABPC).
More than two decades after entering the profession, Mynul Islam's career continues to span reporting, broadcasting, international affairs, education and media development.
From covering major events in Bangladesh to following the proceedings of the United Nations in New York, from training young reporters to publishing a practical guide to mobile journalism, his professional experience reflects the changing nature of journalism in a digital and interconnected world.
For him, the responsibility of a journalist does not end when a story is broadcast or published. It also lies in helping audiences understand the world, encouraging accountability and preparing future generations to uphold the principles of responsible journalism.
His journey from Dhaka's newsrooms to the international media environment of New York is, in many ways, a continuing story—one shaped by experience, professional development and a commitment to keeping journalism relevant in a rapidly changing world.
