The government has appointed veteran journalist Kamal Uddin Shabuj as the Managing Director and Chief Editor of the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Tuesday.
The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification announcing his appointment under the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Act, 2018, on a contractual basis for one year from the date of his joining.
Better known as Shabuj, his official name is Md Kamal Uddin Mozumder. He previously served BSS for 32 years during his 40-year-long journalistic career, retiring as the news editor in 2023.
After retiring from BSS, Shabuj joined Dainik Desh Rupantor as its editor, and until his recent appointment, he was serving as the chief editor of the daily.
During his tenure at BSS, Shabuj was part of the reporting team on various assignments, including covering former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for nearly 10 years. His work required him to travel widely abroad as a political, diplomatic, economic, and parliamentary correspondent, covering several global events.
Through his extensive travels, Shabuj had the opportunity to meet global figures such as Nelson Mandela, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Rajiv Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Mahathir Mohamad, Hu Jintao, and Wen Jiabao. His career also enabled him to engage with leaders like the Sultan of Brunei, the Amir of Qatar, and the monarchs and heads of state of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Shabuj has been elected twice as the President and General Secretary of the Jatiya Press Club. A lifelong advocate for press freedom and democratic rights, he is a regular commentator on television and at international seminars. He is also highly regarded as a mentor for new generation journalists, sharing his insights at seminars and symposiums.
Shabuj began his career in journalism as a staff reporter for the now-defunct Daily News in 1985. He later joined the private United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency, where he worked from 1988 to 1991 before joining BSS.
Born in Banshpara village under Chhagalnaiya upazila in Feni district to Sultan Ahmed Mozumder and Jebun Naher Begum, Shabuj completed his graduation with honours in English literature and language from the University of Chittagong, where he also obtained his master’s degree in 1984.
