News presenter Jannatul Koly has carved out a place for herself on Bangladeshi television through years of hard work, gradually turning an early career setback into an opportunity to pursue a different path.
Raised in Narayanganj, Koly lost her father at a young age and felt the need to become financially independent. Initially, she wanted to complete her studies and build a career in the corporate sector. However, her limited confidence in spoken English made it difficult to pursue that ambition at the time.
Her career took a different turn after she met media personality and presenter Abdun Noor Tushar. In 2016, she began presenting news on Nagorik TV, where she worked for four and a half years. She then spent another four and a half years at Jamuna TV.
Koly had developed an interest in public speaking early in life through poetry recitation and debating. She later completed a course in news presentation and gradually strengthened her skills through professional experience.
Last year, she joined News24 as a programme coordinator. She currently presents the political programme Notun Bangladesh, the online podcast Narratives and a weekly programme featuring special interviews. She also presents news twice a week.
Reflecting on her journey, Koly said she gradually improved her English-speaking skills while building her career in journalism.
“I once had a strong desire to work in the corporate sector, but I could not speak English well enough, so I did not get the opportunity. Later, I became involved in news presentation and gradually built my identity. Over time, I also improved my spoken English. Alhamdulillah, I am satisfied with my work, but I dream of achieving more. I love working hard and taking on challenges,” she said.
Koly’s personal life has also been marked by loss. She lost her father in childhood, and her younger sister has since passed away. She has one brother and one sister in the family. Her birthday falls on 31 May.
From an early ambition to work in the corporate world to a growing career in television journalism, Koly’s journey reflects her determination to keep learning and move forward.
