Agrilife24.com:Md. Faijul Alam Siddik (Faijul Siddikii) received the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Investigative Journalism Award 2025. On Tuesday afternoon, the head of the organization, Iftekharuzzaman, presented the award to him at the Meghmala Conference Room of the TIB office in the capital. Distinguished journalists from the country were also present at the time.
According to TIB's information, last year Mr. Faijul produced a 43-minute investigative report titled "Jontrer Jatakole Krishok" regarding the massive corruption in the 3025 crore Taka (approximately $325 million) agriculture mechanization project. The report was broadcast on Channel 24's "Searchlight" program.
After the report was aired, the Ministry of Agriculture took notice. As the investigation proved the allegations, the then Project Director, Tarique Mahmudul Islam, along with 8 other BCS agriculture cadre officers and one accounts officer, were immediately dismissed from their jobs. Furthermore, cases were filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against 48 agriculture officers.
Taking the report into consideration, the Audit Department conducted an audit and found a discrepancy of 1,715 crore Taka (approximately $171.5 million) in expenditure.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stated that they have been giving awards in investigative journalism for the past 26 years as part of the anti-corruption social movement.
He said that the best reports from the past year were scrutinized and the very best reports were honored with the award.
Faijul Siddikii, the award-winning investigative journalist who currently serves as a Special Correspondent for Star News, said that such recognition for good work will encourage him to produce more quality reports.
He mentioned that there is a lot of major corruption in agriculture, but it doesn't get highlighted in the media in the same way. Through the report "Jontrer Jatakole Krishok," the faces of the officials and employees involved in corruption in the agricultural sector were exposed.
TIB has been giving this award to journalists of national and regional media for investigative journalism since 1997. This year, the award was given in a total of 4 categories.
