Journalist Shafiqul Alam, currently serving as the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has won an Honourable Mention at the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards 2025 for his coverage of the August 5 popular uprising and the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the country.

He shared the news himself on Thursday (June 26) at around 9:30pm through a post on his verified Facebook page.

In the post, he wrote, “This is big news for me. I have received an Honourable Mention for my breaking news coverage on the ‘Bangladesh Revolution’ and Sheikh Hasina’s departure.”

He also attached a photo of the award certificate to the post, which shows his recognition by SOPA.

At the time of the event on August 5 last year, Shafiqul Alam was the Dhaka Bureau Chief of the international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). His exclusive breaking news on Hasina’s sudden departure amid mass protests gained global attention.

SOPA, a respected organisation based in Asia, annually recognises excellence in journalism across the region. Shafiqul’s award reflects international recognition for his timely and impactful reporting during a major turning point in Bangladesh’s recent political history.

MSK/