First আলো's Sajid Hossain Wins Bangladesh Press Photo Competition's Top Award
Sajid Hossain, Deputy Head of Photography at the daily First আলো, has been awarded 'Picture of the Year' at the Bangladesh Press Photo Competition (BPPC) 2026. The announcement was made on Friday evening at the DrikPath Building in Panthapath, Dhaka, during an event that also marked the opening of the BPPC 2026 exhibition and awards ceremony. This marks the fifth edition of the competition and exhibition organized by Drik Picture Library. This year, 2020 photojournalists from various media outlets across the country submitted approximately 1,600 photographs across political, economic, social, cultural, nature, and documentary categories. An exhibition featuring 32 selected photographs is now underway. Hossain expressed his joy, noting the scarcity of photography competitions in Bangladesh and highlighting Drik's event as the most significant. He shared the story behind his winning photograph, which captured a poignant moment at a chemical factory fire in Mirpur where a husband and father grieved over a deceased relative while a soldier showed them a picture of their missing loved one amidst the chaos. Other awardees included Md. Mazharul Islam of Daily Times of Bangladesh for 'People-Oriented Journalism and Politics,' with a special mention to Md. Mahmud Zaman from the same organization. Tanveen Tamim, a sports photojournalist for The Daily Sun, won in the 'Art, Culture, and Sports' category, with Abdul Ghani from the daily WADA receiving a special mention. Mong Hai Sing Marma, a photographer from First আলো in Bandarban, received the 'Indigenous Community Grant 2026,' which includes financial aid, mentorship, and an opportunity to showcase his work at next year's exhibition. The exhibition will run for 13 days until August 12, open daily from 3 PM to 8 PM. Former Media Reform Commission chief and The Daily Star's Consulting Editor, Kamal Ahmed, was a special guest, emphasizing the need for an independent media commission. Drik founder Shahidul Alam highlighted the risks photojournalists undertake and the importance of recognizing their contributions.
The Bangladesh Press Photo Competition, as highlighted by its organizers and participants, serves as a crucial platform for recognizing photojournalists whose work often goes unacknowledged despite significant personal risk. The competition's focus on diverse categories and the inclusion of a grant for indigenous photographers demonstrate an effort to broaden representation. However, the event also implicitly underscores systemic challenges within the media landscape, such as the need for greater support and safety for journalists, as articulated by former Media Reform Commission chief Kamal Ahmed. As AI technologies increasingly influence image creation and dissemination, the value of authentic, human-captured photojournalism, particularly in documenting critical social and political events, is amplified. Future iterations of such competitions may need to consider the evolving digital environment and the ethical implications of AI in visual storytelling, while continuing to champion the fundamental role of photojournalists in holding power accountable and documenting societal realities.
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