Entertainment journalist Waliul Alam Biswas has received the Golden Silk Road Media Award 2025, marking a significant recognition during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China.
The award ceremony, organised for the first time in Bangladesh, honoured 29 journalists from across the country for media work highlighting friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Biswas won second prize in the Media Innovation category. He is currently Senior Associate Editor of the Digital Department at Independent TV.
The awards were presented on Wednesday at the Chitrasala Auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Winners received cash prizes and certificates, with first-place recipients awarded Tk 100,000, second-place winners Tk 50,000 and third-place winners Tk 30,000. Awards were given across five categories.
Biswas was recognised for his report titled “Je Aloy Bodle Jacche Bangladesh-er Acrobatic,” published on Independent Digital. The report focused on circus and acrobatic artists whose art forms are on the verge of disappearing and included a strong visual and infographic presentation.
Speaking about the award, Biswas said the report aimed to document a neglected cultural tradition while using innovative digital storytelling techniques.
The ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Cultural Counsellor Li Shaofeng, China Media Group Bangla Department Director Yu Kuang Yue Anandi, Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh President Han Kun, and Open Friendship Exchange Center President Chuang Lifeng. Senior Bangladeshi media figures including Press Institute of Bangladesh Director General Farooq Wasif and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Director Mahbub Morshed were also present.
Addressing the audience, Ambassador Yao Wen said the historic Silk Road symbolised cultural exchange and mutual learning between civilisations. He added that the Golden Silk Road initiative reflects the continuing role of media professionals in strengthening people-to-people connections between China and Bangladesh.
This year has been designated as the China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Reports published or broadcast between November 1, 2024 and November 15, 2025 were considered for the awards, with the best 29 selected from nominations across five categories.
In the Media Innovation category, first prize went to Md Imrul Hasan of RTV, while second prize was jointly awarded to Waliul Alam Biswas of Independent TV, Rashedur Rahman of Channel 24, and Arshad Ali and Sudipto Nurul Kabir of Bangla Tribune.
Other categories included economics and technology, features, visuals and general news, with journalists from outlets such as bdnews, Bangla Tribune, Daily Sun, Kaler Kantho and Jamuna TV among the winners.
