Jump to content

Prothom Alo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prothom Alo
First issue of Prothom Alo, 4 November 1998
TypeDaily newspaper
FormatBroadsheet
OwnerTranscom Group
PublisherMatiur Rahman
Editor-in-chiefMatiur Rahman
Founded4 November 1998 (1998-11-04)
LanguageBangla and English
HeadquartersProgoti Insurance Bhobon, 20-21, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka - 1215, Bangladesh
CountryBangladesh
Circulation525,001 (January 2013)[1]
Website
Prothom Alo building

Prothom Alo (Bengali: প্রথম আলো) is a Bengali-language daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka. It is one of the most widely circulated newspapers in Bangladesh.[2] According to the National Media Survey of 2018, conducted by Kantar MRB Bangladesh, Prothom Alo has a daily readership of more than 6.6 million online. According to Alexa Internet, an American web traffic analysis company, the online portal of Prothom Alo is the most visited Bengali website in the world.[3] The paper failed to print the 19 December 2025 issue for the first time during its 27 years of operation due to an attack on its office and bureaus.[4]

History

[edit]

Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. The circulation of Prothom Alo grew from an initial circulation of 42,000 to a circulation of a half million copies.[1] The newspaper distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women and pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid.[1][5] From press facilities located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra, around 5,00,000 copies (as of March '2014) are circulated each day.[2] According to National Media Survey 2018, everyday 6.6 million people read the print edition of Prothom Alo. The claimed readership of the online and print edition of this newspaper is 7.6 million.[6]

A senior reporter of Prothom Alo, Rozina Islam, was detained for 5 hours in Bangladesh Secretariat after she went there to cover the health ministry on 17 May 2021. A case was filed against her by an official of Health Service Division under the Official Secrets Act.[7][8] After filing of the case she was taken to Shahbagh Police Station.[9] She was interrogated for 5 days in police remand.[10][11] She was released upon bail from Kashimpur prison on 23 May 2021.[12]

Digital platforms

[edit]

The online portal of Prothom Alo[13] is the number 1 Bangladeshi website in the world.[citation needed] This portal is accessed by 1.6 million visitors from 200 countries and territories across the globe with 60 million pageviews per month. The e-paper site of Prothom Alo is also the Number 1 e-paper Web site of Bangladesh.[14] [citation needed]

Editors

[edit]

Since its founding in 1998, Matiur Rahman is the chief editor of the newspaper.[15] He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2005 in the category of Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.[16]

Mathematics Olympiad

[edit]

Prothom Alo helped to popularise mathematics in Bangladesh. It organized Mathematics Olympiad for the first time in Bangladesh in 2003. It is one of the main sponsors and the main organizer of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad.[17]

Matiur Rahman, the editor of Prothom Alo

Recognition

[edit]

Prothom Alo has been carrying on a campaign against acid violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, and religious terrorism. For his contribution to this fight, the Philippines-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has described editor Matiur Rahman as 'the guiding force in the positive changes in society and culture' and in 2005 honored him with a Magsaysay Award, which is considered to be the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'.[16] Rahman donated the prize money in equal proportion to the three funds that the Prothom Alo Trust has set up to help and support acid-burnt women, anti-drug campaigns, and persecuted journalists. They won the 'Best in South Asia' award at the INMA Global Media Awards 2025 by the International News Media Association (INMA), the largest global platform of media organizations.[18]

Sister concerns

[edit]

Prothom Alo, which belongs to Mediastar Ltd., has the following sister concerns:

  • ABC Radio FM 89.2:[3] Commercial operation of ABC Radio FM 89.2 commenced from 7 January 2009. It is one of the most popular FM radio channels of Dhaka city. Besides Dhaka, it is also being aired from Chittagong and Cox's Bazar stations.
  • Prothoma Prokashon : Prothoma Prokashon is a publication house that started its journey in 2008. This publication house has been highly praised by different quarters for its quality publication works. Prothoma Prokashon received awards from Bangla Academy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
  • Prothoma Boier Dunia: Prothoma Boier Dunia or Prothoma World of Books is a bookselling outlet with five stores in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi.
  • Protichinta: Protichinta is a quarterly journal on social, economic, and political issues.
  • Kishor Alo : Kishor Alo, a monthly magazine for youngsters, started its journey in October 2013. Stories, novels, poems, quizzes, magic, adventures, traveling, science, jokes, and many other interesting features are published in this colorful monthly magazine. Kishor Alo also has a large number of volunteers all over Bangladesh.
  • Biggan Chinta : Biggan Chinta a monthly magazine for science lovers, started its journey from October 2016. It contains science writings (mainly about astrophysics and environmental science), interviews with scientists, science fiction and many others.
  • Chakri.com (former Prothom Alo Jobs): Chakri.com offers regular recruitment circulars and solutions, corporate training services, and career counseling.
Meril-Prothom Alo Award Giving Ceremony, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC)

Controversy and criticism

[edit]

Religious and social disputes

[edit]

Prothom Alo has faced repeated criticism and protests from Islamic organizations and parties over content alleged to be disrespectful to religious sentiments. In 2007, the newspaper's satirical magazine Alpin published a cartoon that was perceived as mocking a name associated with Muhammad. The publication sparked nationwide protests by Islamists, leading the government to impose a temporary ban on the magazine. The organization issued an apology, and the cartoonist was arrested on 18 September 2007, jailed for six months, and released in March 2008.[19][20][21][22] In 2010, the book Gadya Cartoon by Anisul Hoque, published by the organization, faced allegations of satirizing Quranic verses. Islamic critics and media outlets demanded its withdrawal, accusing the paper of undermining religious values.[23]

In late 2024, tensions resurfaced after the newspaper was accused of labeling Islamists as "militants" in its reporting.[24][25] On 24 November 2024, Islamic organizations protested outside the newspaper's headquarters in Karwan Bazar.[26][27] The protests escalated into violence; an attempt was made to attack the Chittagong office,[28] and the Rajshahi and Bogura offices were vandalized, with signboards removed or set on fire.[29][30][31][32] The executive editor dismissed the allegations as baseless, suggesting the protests were orchestrated attacks on independent journalism.[29][33][34] The attacks were condemned by the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and other media bodies as severe violations of press freedom.[35][36][37][38][39][40]

[edit]

The newspaper has encountered significant legal and political backlash over its reporting. In March 2023, a report on the rising cost of living during Ramadan drew controversy due to a discrepancy between a photograph of a child and the accompanying text. Although the paper corrected the error and removed the post, a case was filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against the editor, Matiur Rahman, and a reporter, alleging tarnishing of the state's image.[41][42] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly labeled the newspaper an "enemy" of the people.[43] Rahman was later granted bail, an event Amnesty International cited as part of a pattern of press harassment.[44][45]

Previously, in 2012, the High Court issued an injunction regarding the publication of Humayun Ahmed's novel Deyal in the paper, questioning its portrayal of the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[46] A 2007 editorial by Rahman criticizing the BNP-Jamaat alliance also drew criticism from Islamist groups.[47] More recently, outlets such as Somoy News and Bangladesh Pratidin have accused Prothom Alo of bias and shifting political allegiances, allegations made amidst a broader context of pressure on independent media.[48][49]

Management and corporate allegations

[edit]

The newspaper and its management have faced scrutiny over operational safety and the alleged conduct of its parent company, Transcom Group. On 1 November 2019, Naimul Abrar, a student at Dhaka Residential Model College, was electrocuted during an event organized by the newspaper's magazine Kishor Alo. A police investigation cited negligence, leading a court to issue arrest warrants for the editor and others in January 2020.[50][51][52]

Separately, allegations have been directed at Transcom Group CEO Simeen Rahman regarding financial irregularities. Accusations have surfaced claiming attempts to bribe former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress legal cases,[53][54][55] as well as allegations of embezzling family shares through stamp fraud.[56][57][58] Critics have alleged that editor Matiur Rahman and The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam unethically assisted in these matters.[59][60][61][62]

Attack and arson at Prothom Alo’s head office

[edit]
Main article: December 2025 Bangladesh violence
Burnt exterior of Prothom Alo's office.

On 18 December 2025, the headquarters of Prothom Alo (Pragati Bhaban) in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, was subjected to vandalism and arson following the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.[63][64]

Late that night, a mob of protesters marched from Shahbag to the Karwan Bazar area, targeting the newspaper's office. Witnesses reported that the attackers, described as a group of extremist youths, scaled the building's grille, vandalized the reception area, and damaged windows. They subsequently set fire to furniture and documents in front of the entrance.[65][66]

Police attempted to intervene but failed to fully control the situation.[67] Several journalists and staff members were reported to be trapped inside the building during the violence.[68]

According to Prothom Alo, the attack was carried out in a deliberate and organized manner. The arson resulted in extensive damage to the building, destroying assets stored inside, including valuable documents.[69] The organization characterized the incident as an "organized terrorist attack," and Mahfuz Anam stated that fears for journalists' personal safety were now taking precedence over calls for freedom of expression.[70] Anam too alleged that the incident was not a coincidence but "murderous" and intentional.[71]

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus described the incident as "tantamount to an attack on independent media" and said that "this incident has created a major obstacle to the country's democratic progress and the path of free journalism."[72] The incident was also condemned by several organizations, including the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), the Editors' Council, and Transparency International Bangladesh.[73][74]

The EU ambassador to Bangladesh condemned the incident, calling it an attack on freedom of the media and on freedom of expression.[75]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Current Circulation". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Top 10 Newspapers of Bangladesh (With Pictures)". yourarticlelibrary.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Top Sites in Bangladesh". Alexa. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  4. ^ Quillen, Stephen. "Mass protests in Bangladesh demanding justice after top youth leader dies". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award". Voice of America. 1 August 2005. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009.
  6. ^ [National Media Survey 2018, SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd. (Associate of IMRB International)]
  7. ^ "Rozina Islam faces charge under official secrets law". The Business Standard. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. ^ "I am a victim of unjust acts: Rozina Islam". The Business Standard. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Prothom Alo journalist Rozina taken to police station after 5 hours' confinement at Secretariat". The Daily Star. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Will continue journalism, says a determined Rozina". The Daily Star. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 12 October 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Rozina Islam gets prestigious award for journalism". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Rozina freed on bail after 7 days". The Daily Star. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Prothom Alo | Latest online Bangla world news bd | Sports photo video live". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Prothom Alo ePaper | Bangla Newspaper, World news | eProthomalo". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh through Matiur Rahman of Prothom Alo's eyes". Adgully.com. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  16. ^ a b Rahman, Matiur (2 September 2005). "When Media Takes a Stand for Social Change: The Experience of Prothom Alo in Bangladesh". Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  17. ^ "Bangladesh IMO team 2007". Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad Committee. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  18. ^ Khan, Azwaj (23 May 2025). "Prothom Alo wins Best in South Asia award". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh". 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  20. ^ "Cartoonist released in Bangladesh". 20 March 2008. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  21. ^ "Violence over Bangladesh cartoon". BBC. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  22. ^ "Cartoonist freed". Committee to Protect Journalists. 21 March 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  23. ^ "'Prothom Alo' group's mischief against Islam". Daily Sun. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  24. ^ প্রথম আলোর বিরুদ্ধে ভয়ংকর অভিযোগ, কিন্তু কেন? | Prothom Alo | kaler Kantho (Video) (in Bengali). 4 December 2024.
  25. ^ আপনার সন্তান জঙ্গি হচ্ছে না তো? [Your child isn't becoming a terrorist, is he?]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 20 July 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  26. ^ "Brawl outside Prothom Alo office, sound grenades used". jagonews24.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Police disperse protesters in front of Prothom Alo office". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Chaos in front of Prothom Alo; cops drive away demonstrators". The Daily Star. 25 November 2024. Archived from the original on 24 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  29. ^ a b প্রথম আলো-ডেইলি স্টারের সামনে বিক্ষোভের কারণ কী? যা জানা যাচ্ছে [What is the reason for the protest in front of Prothom Alo-Daily Star? What is known]. BBC News (in Bengali). 27 November 2024. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  30. ^ "Prothom Alo's Rajshahi office vandalised". Prothom Alo. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  31. ^ "Prothom Alo Rajshahi office vandalized, signboard set on fire". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Prothom Alo Rajshahi, Bogura offices attacked". The Daily Star. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  33. ^ Chakraborty, Debdutta (27 November 2024). "Won't be bogged down, says Prothom Alo editor as Bangladesh's leading dailies come under attack". ThePrint. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Why Bangladesh protesters are targeting popular newspaper, Prothom Alo". Firstpost. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  35. ^ পত্রিকা অফিসে ভাংচুর বা বন্ধের জন্য চাপ সহ্য করবে না অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকার: নাহিদ [Interim government will not tolerate pressure to vandalize or close newspaper offices: Nahid] (in Bengali). Voice of America. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  36. ^ "Vandalism at newspaper offices, pressure to close newspapers down won't be tolerated: Nahid". The Business Standard. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Rein in mob justice with iron hand: Editors' Council tells govt". Prothom Alo. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  38. ^ "Take strict action against mob justice". The Daily Star. 27 November 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  39. ^ "CPJ for probe into threats against media houses". The Daily Star. 27 November 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  40. ^ "CPJ for probe to protests outside The Daily Star, Prothom Alo offices, vandalism at Prothom Alo Rajshahi office". Prothom Alo. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  41. ^ "Case filed against Prothom Alo editor under DSA". Dhaka Tribune. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  42. ^ "2 ministers, AL leaders slam Prothom Alo over report". The Daily Star. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  43. ^ Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (10 April 2023). "Bangladesh PM calls newspaper 'enemy of the people' after journalists arrested". The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  44. ^ "Prothom Alo editor granted bail in a case under DSA". Prothom Alo. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  45. ^ "Deepening crisis of press freedom in Bangladesh". Amnesty International. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  46. ^ "HC injunction on publication of Humayun's novel Deyal". New Age. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  47. ^ "What lies behind the mask of Prothom Alo, Daily Star?". Bangladesh Pratidin. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  48. ^ "Prothom Alo's biased journalism raises eyebrows". Somoy News (in Bengali). 1 January 1970. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  49. ^ প্রথম আলো ও ডেইলি স্টারের ওপর ক্ষোভ ঝাড়লেন আসিফ নজরুল [Asif Nazrul expresses his anger at Prothom Alo and Daily Star]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 26 June 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  50. ^ "Dhaka Residential Model College student electrocuted at Kishor Alo function". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  51. ^ "Arrest warrant against Prothom Alo editor, 9 others". Prothom Alo. 18 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  52. ^ "Arrest warrant against Prothom Alo editor raises concern". The Business Standard. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  53. ^ "'Simeen bribed Hasina with Tk100cr to silence legal charges'". Bangladesh Pratidin. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  54. ^ "'Simeen Rahman bribed Hasina with Tk100cr to hush up cases'". Daily Sun. 3 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  55. ^ "Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 7 February 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  56. ^ "ট্রান্সকমের দলিল জালিয়াতি". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 6 December 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  57. ^ "Forgery in Transcom documents". Daily Sun. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  58. ^ "RJSC papers doctored with fake stamps". The Financial Express. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  59. ^ তিন মাসের অনুসন্ধান শেষ করেছে টিম ফিফটিন মিনিটস: ইলিয়াস হোসেন. Janakantha (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  60. ^ Elias Hossain (18 May 2025). এ যেন কেয়ামতের আলামত! #elias_hossain. Retrieved 21 May 2025 – via YouTube.
  61. ^ "জালিয়াতি করে ৩০ হাজার কোটি টাকার সম্পদ কব্জা করেন ট্রান্সকমের সিমিন | Transcom | Prothom alo". Kaler Kantho YouTube page. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  62. ^ সিমিন রহমানের ট্রান্সকম গ্রুপকে মাফিয়া বললেন সাংবাদিক জুলকারনাইন. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 30 January 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  63. ^ "Shahbagh blockade continues amid protests over Osman Hadi's murder". The Business Standard. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  64. ^ Rawnsley, Jessica (18 December 2025). "Violence erupts in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader". BBC news. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  65. ^ "After night of violence, The Daily Star, Prothom Alo employees return to burnt newsrooms to assess damage". The Business Standard. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  66. ^ "Attack, vandalism, and arson at Prothom Alo office in Dhaka". Dhaka Tribune. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  67. ^ Singh, Namita (19 December 2025). "Angry mob sets fire to offices of leading newspapers after activist shot dead in Bangladesh". The Independent. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  68. ^ "Bangladesh violence: Protesters torch major newspaper Prothom Alo, Daily Star offices after activist's death | VIDEO". The Indian Express. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  69. ^ "প্রথম আলো-ডেইলি স্টার আক্রান্ত". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 20 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  70. ^ "Journalists' personal safety has now become the overriding concern: Mahfuz Anam". Prothomalo. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  71. ^ "We have entered an 'era of murder,' says Mahfuz Anam". The Business Standard. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  72. ^ "প্রথম আলো ও ডেইলি স্টার হামলায় ঘটনায় যে প্রতিক্রিয়া জানিয়েছে". BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  73. ^ "প্রথম আলো ও ডেইলি স্টারে হামলা: আইনশৃঙ্খলা পরিস্থিতির অবনতিতে নোয়াব-সম্পাদক পরিষদের উদ্বেগ". The Business Standard (in Bengali). 19 December 2025.
  74. ^ "গণমাধ্যম ও ভিন্নমতের ওপর আক্রমণ রাষ্ট্রের গণতান্ত্রিক ভিত্তিতে আঘাত: টিআইবি". The Business Standard (in Bengali). 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  75. ^ "'Terrible moment' for Bangladesh's democracy: EU ambassador terms attacks on The Daily Star, Prothom Alo". The Daily Star.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
[edit]
  • Media related to Prothom Alo at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website Edit this at Wikidata
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prothom_Alo&oldid=1329376049"