Staff Reporter:
A 96-member delegation of the Armed Forces War Course (AFWC)-2026 under the National Defence College (NDC) visited East West Media Group PLC (EWMGPLC) in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Thursday.
Led by Brig Gen Mohammad Nazmul Haque, the delegation included 11 faculty members, 62 course members, six staff officers and 16 administrative staff members.
The delegation arrived at EWMGPLC at 10am as part of a daylong visit. A briefing was held at the Kaler Kantho conference hall.
Chief Executive Officer of T Sports Ishtiaque Sadeque, Daily Sun Editor Md Rezaul Karim Lotus, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Ekramul Hoque Bhuiyan (Loton Ekram), Bangladesh Pratidin Managing Editor Ruhul Amin Rasel, Banglanews24.com Editor AKM Manzurul Haque, News24 Head of News Shariful Islam Khan, News24 Chief News Editor (Online and Multimedia) Ashikur Rahman Srabon, Kaler Kantho Editor Mahadi Hasan Talukder and Executive Editor Haider Ali, among other senior journalists of East West Media Group, attended the session.
Bashundhara Group Adviser Major General (retd) Mahbub Haider Khan, Adviser-Treasurer Maynal Hossain Chowdhury, BDCL and TBG Deputy Managing Director Captain (retd) Shaikh Ehsan Reza, EWPD and BS Executive Director (AHR) and Head of Security Major (retd) Md Mahbubul Wadud, ABG Head of Central HR and Administration Lt Col (retd) Syed Jamil Ahsan, BOGCL GM-HR and Administration Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Shoaib Shafik, ABG Head of Security Major (retd) AFM Mohsinul Hamid and EWPD DGM (HR and Administration) Captain (retd) Fahim Ahmed Khan were also present.
A one-minute silence was observed in memory of the two Bangladesh Air Force personnel killed in Hathazari. Prayers were also offered for the speedy recovery of those injured.
During an open discussion, Brig Gen Nazmul said the frank exchange of views with editors and representatives of newspapers, online outlets and television channels would be an “eye-opener” for AFWC course members.
He said closer cooperation between the media and the military would benefit the country, adding that stronger ties between the two sides could produce positive results.
On strengthening inter-institutional communication, he said suggestions for strengthening Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) were being accepted.
Daily Sun Editor Md Rezaul Karim Lotus said the newspaper always tries to follow ISPR and noted that the organisation had become more powerful.
He suggested that ISPR become more active on social media and provide information promptly to prevent confusion.
“We contact ISPR first. Even when we receive information elsewhere, we wait for confirmation before publishing,” he said.
After the briefing, souvenirs were exchanged and Commander Md Abu Abdullah delivered the vote of thanks.
The delegation then joined a tea gathering and toured different media outlets under EWMGPLC, learning about their operations through a guided tour.
The programme also included an official photo session and a buffet lunch before the delegation left EWMGPLC for the AFWC Wing at around 1:45pm.
The programme ended with a cordial exchange of souvenirs between senior EWMGPLC officials and the delegation.
