It is always refreshing and inspiring to see that courageous investigative journalism is being rewarded. Here is to having many more journalists like Sumi Khan!

Bangladesh woman reporter feted
A Bangladeshi woman reporter has received a courage in journalism award from the International Women’s Media Foundation.
Sumi Khan, of the Samakal daily, is one of only a few women journalists in Chittagong and has received many threats over the nature of her work.

She has reported on politics, crime, Islamic fundamentalism and corruption. She was attacked and beaten in 2004.

Her editor, Ghulam Sarwar, said he was proud of her courage and dedication.

Khan was presented with her prize at the foundation’s 15th annual awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York on Tuesday night.

“People always ask me whether I’m afraid,” she said in her acceptance speech.

“No, I’m not. They are afraid. I believe my pen is mightier than all of their weapons. Long live courageous journalism.”

Encouragement

In April 2004, three assailants tried to abduct Khan from a rickshaw.

She was beaten and stabbed so severely she could not work for three months. The identity of her attackers remains unclear.

Khan joined Samakal three months ago from the popular Weekly 2000.

Mr Sarwar told the BBC: “In Bangladesh, women are lagging far behind the men, especially in the field of journalism. I think the award won by Ms Khan will encourage others to take up journalism.

“I think the entire journalist community should feel proud of her because of her courage and dedication to the profession.”

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4378660.stm