Fojo Media Institute’s partner, GIJN Bangla’s annual Best Investigative Stories from or about Bangladesh, plays a key role in defining professional standards in journalism and highlighting high-quality investigative work. “We are proud to see that the list is considered a serious mark of quality investigative journalism,” says SK. Tanvir Mahmud, who leads the initiative.
“Overall, the media outlets responsible for the selected stories demonstrated a high level of professionalism,” says Tanvir Mahmud, who leads the publication of the Best Investigative Stories at GIJN in Bangladesh each year. “No significant gaps were evident in their investigations, and the focus and editing of the stories were particularly noteworthy. The journalists addressed issues that were largely unknown to the general public, which reflects the core purpose of investigative journalism; to uncover new and hidden information,” he says.
Selecting truth in a hostile environment
The annual list is the culmination of year-round monitoring by GIJN Bangladesh, the Bengali-language chapter of the Global Investigative Journalism Network. According to Tanvir Mahmud, the process is large in scale. Dozens of investigative and data-driven stories published across Bangladeshi newspapers, television channels, online platforms and international outlets are tracked throughout the year.
From an initial pool of around 50 to 60 investigations, only eight make the final cut. The criteria go beyond impact or prominence. Stories must demonstrate rigorous investigative methods, strong documentation, accuracy, ethical reporting and crucially, follow-up.
“We look at whether the investigation actually holds up,” Tanvir explains. “Does it rely on documents? Does it show accountability? And what happens after publication?” He explains;
In Lethal Firing Orders at Protests, the authenticity of the evidence used by the reporter was verified through the cooperation of an impartial organisation. As a result, readers have little reason to question the credibility of the story. Similarly, in Climate Change’s Impact on Sandwip Island, the authenticity of the information was confirmed through a public opinion survey. This allowed the voices of ordinary people to be represented effectively, which is a crucial element of investigative reporting.
In the Surveillance State, data is used in a compelling and engaging manner. Through careful data analysis and presentation, the reporter demonstrates how state mechanisms are increasingly attempting to violate the privacy of the population by placing them under widespread surveillance.
Moreover, Besieged Bawm Community effectively combines on-the-ground reporting with verified information. Evidence is presented to support every major claim, highlighting how restricted and challenging life has become for members of small ethnic communities. This investigative report clearly exposes the systemic obstacles faced by marginalized groups.
Impact, risk and retaliation
In Bangladesh’s media climate, impact is a double-edged sword. Investigations that lead to public debate, legal action, or policy discussion often provoke backlash. Tanvir describes how stories that initially pass with limited reaction can trigger intense responses once they are elevated through the GIJN list.
“Sometimes the anger starts after we recognise the story,” he says. Political actors and business groups have challenged the credibility of investigations, accused GIJN Bangladesh of bias and attempted to discredit journalists involved.
For reporters, the risks are real. Stories have been removed from news websites under pressure. Journalists have faced lawsuits, harassment and surveillance. Tanvir himself has been targeted with multiple legal cases related to his reporting.
Yet the list also offers a form of protection. International visibility matters. When a story is recognised by GIJN, it draws attention beyond national borders and that attention can make it harder to quietly silence a journalist.
Recognition as a tool for the profession
Within Bangladesh, the GIJN Bangladesh list has become an informal benchmark of quality. Journalists, editors and even journalism students follow it closely. Newsrooms promote their inclusion, and young reporters study the selected investigations as models of good practice.
Many journalists now actively seek feedback from GIJN Bangladesh before publication.
Some send drafts or ideas, asking how their reporting could be strengthened. “They want to reach that level,” Tanvir says. “They want their work to meet those standards. We are proud to see that the list is considered a serious mark of quality investigative journalism”.
In this way, the list does more than reward past work. It shapes future reporting, reinforcing investigative methods, ethical decision-making and editorial discipline.