by Maruf ul Alam, Dhaka Bureau

The international press agency, Pressenza, has officially commenced its operations in Bangladesh. The inauguration of Pressenza’s  Dhaka Bureau Office took place on Monday (October 27) at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital. Muhammad Abdullah, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, formally inaugurated Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau, by cutting a cake as the Chief Guest.

Muhammad Abdullah, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, formally inaugurated Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau, by cutting a cake as the Chief Guest.

Before the cake-cutting ceremony, in his speech as the Chief Guest, Muhammad Abdullah said, “We are currently entering a new Bangladesh post-24. The media has always faced challenges, but those challenges have intensified due to social media. I hope Pressenza will play a pioneering role in objective and responsible journalism.” Muhammad Abdullah further added, “Many international media outlets are working in Bangladesh, and there are various controversies surrounding them. However, Pressenza will initiate a new chapter by presenting unique news coverage. ”

Mynul Hasan Sohel, Executive Editor of Pressenza’s Dhaka Bureau and General Secretary of DRU, said at the inauguration ceremony, “Pressenza’s operations officially began in Dhaka today. From now on, Pressenza’s news will also be available in the Bengali language. This will add a new dimension to the advancement of journalism in the country.” He expressed hope that, like AFP, AP, BBC, or Reuters, Pressenza will become a trusted institution for readers in Bangladesh and around the world through its diverse and quality news coverage.

The inauguration event, presided over by Shamsul Haque Bosunia, Panel Editor of Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau, was attended by Panel Editors Sheikh Mohammad Arif and Biozid Jashore, Head of Admin Kawser Ahmed, Head of Support Service Maruf Ul Alam, and contributors from the Dhaka Bureau. Co-Directors Pia Figueras (Chile), Javier Tolcachier (Argentina), and David Anderson (New York) of Pressenza International also joined via webinar.

Co-Directors Pia Figueroa (Chile), Javier Tolcachier (Argentina), and David (New York) of Pressenza International joined the inauguration ceremony via webinar.

At the beginning of the event, Maruf Ul Alam from the Dhaka Bureau informed everyone about Pressenza, stating that Pressenza was established in Milan, Italy, in 2009 and registered as an international press agency in Quito, Ecuador, in 2014. The news agency currently operates from 24 countries worldwide. Pressenza has been delivering news in 10 languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Greek, and Catalan. Bengali is the latest language to be added to its news services. As a result, Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau Office, will be able to more strongly represent the country’s presence in the global media.

Regarding the context, the Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Shafiqul Alam, was scheduled to attend the inauguration ceremony of Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau, as the Chief Guest. However, due to sudden engagement in important state matters on Monday, he was unable to be present at the inauguration. Nevertheless, he extended his best wishes for the advancement of Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau.

Maruf ul Alam (Staff Correspondent and Head of Support Service) Dhaka Bureau.