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{{Short description|Bangladeshi daily newspaper owned by Transcom Group}}
{{Short description|Bangladeshi daily newspaper}}
{{For|the 2001 novel|First Light (Ganguly novel)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}


{{Infobox newspaper
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = {{center|Prothom Alo}}
| name = {{center|Prothom Alo}}
| image = Prothom Alo building 2023.jpg
| image = Prothom Alo building 2023.jpg
| caption = Prothom Alo building
| type = [[Daily newspaper]]
| format = [[Broadsheet]]
| type = [[Daily newspaper]]
| format = [[Broadsheet]]
| foundation = {{start date|df=yes|1998|11|04}}
| foundation = {{start date|df=yes|1998|11|04}}
| owners = [[Transcom Group]]
| owners = [[Transcom Group]]
| publisher = [[Matiur Rahman (journalist)|Matiur Rahman]]
| chiefeditor = [[Matiur Rahman (journalist)|Matiur Rahman]]
| publisher = [[Matiur Rahman (journalist)|Matiur Rahman]]
| chiefeditor =Matiur Rahman
| assoceditor =
| staff =
| assoceditor =
| staff =
| language = [[Bangla language|Bangla]] and [[English Language]]
| language = [[Bangla language|Bangla]] and [[English language|English]]
| political = [[Liberalism|Liberal]]
| publishing_country = Bangladesh
| circulation = 525,001 (January 2013)
| circulation = 525,001 (January 2013)
| headquarters = Progoti Insurance Bhobon, 20-21, [[Kawran Bazar]], [[Dhaka|Dhaka - 1215]], [[Bangladesh]]
| headquarters = Progoti Insurance Bhobon, 20-21, [[Kawran Bazar]], [[Dhaka|Dhaka - 1215]], [[Bangladesh]]
| oclc =
| ISSN =
| oclc =
| ISSN =
| website = {{URL|www.prothomalo.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.prothomalo.com}}
| logo = Prothom Alo logo.svg
| caption = Prothom Alo Building
| logo = Prothom Alo logo.svg
| founder =
| founder =
| depeditor =
| depeditor =
| campuseditor =
| campuseditor =
| sportseditor =
| sportseditor =
| sister newspapers =
| sister newspapers =
| maneditor =
| maneditor =
| photoeditor =
| photoeditor =
| circulation_ref = <ref name=Circulation/>
| circulation_ref = <ref name=Circulation/>
| managingeditordesign =
| managingeditordesign =
| newseditor =
| newseditor =
}}
}}
'''''The Daily Prothom Alo''''' ({{lang-bn|প্রথম আলো}}) is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]]-language [[daily newspaper]] in [[Bangladesh]], published from [[Dhaka]]. It is the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |title=Top 10 Newspapers of Bangladesh (With Pictures) |website=yourarticlelibrary.com |access-date=2020-03-30 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814194725/https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''''The Daily Prothom Alo''''' ({{langx|bn|প্রথম আলো}}) is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]]-language [[daily newspaper]] in [[Bangladesh]], published from [[Dhaka]]. It is the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |title=Top 10 Newspapers of Bangladesh (With Pictures) |website=yourarticlelibrary.com |access-date=2020-03-30 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814194725/https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |url-status=live }}</ref>


According to the National Media Survey of 2018, conducted by Kantar MRB Bangladesh, ''Prothom Alo'' has a daily readership of more than 6.6 million online. According to [[Alexa Internet]], an [[United States|American]] [[web traffic]] [[analysis]] [[company]], the [[online portal]] of ''Prothom Alo'' is the most visited [[Website|Bengali website]] in the world.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD|title=Alexa - Top Sites in Bangladesh - Alexa|website=www.alexa.com|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712100928/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD|url-status=dead}}</ref>
According to the National Media Survey of 2018, conducted by Kantar MRB Bangladesh, ''Prothom Alo'' has a daily readership of more than 6.6 million online. According to [[Alexa Internet]], an [[United States|American]] [[web traffic]] [[analysis]] [[company]], the [[online portal]] of ''Prothom Alo'' is the most visited [[Website|Bengali website]] in the world.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD|title=Top Sites in Bangladesh |website=[[Alexa Internet|Alexa]]|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712100928/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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''Prothom Alo'' was founded on 4 November 1998. The circulation of ''Prothom Alo'' grew from an initial circulation of 42,000 to a circulation of a half million copies.<ref name=Circulation>{{cite web |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |title=Current Circulation |website=Prothom Alo |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116151815/http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[newspaper]] distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women and pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid.<ref name=Circulation /><ref>{{cite news |date=2005-08-01 |title=Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award |url=http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |work=Voice of America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052712/http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |archive-date=2009-07-13}}</ref> From press facilities located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra, around 5,00,000 copies (as of March '2014) are circulated each day.<ref name=":0" /> According to National Media Survey 2018, everyday 6.6 million people read the print edition of ''Prothom Alo''. The claimed readership of the online and print edition of this newspaper is 7.6 million.<ref>[National Media Survey 2018, SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd. (Associate of IMRB International)]</ref>
''Prothom Alo'' was founded on 4 November 1998. The circulation of ''Prothom Alo'' grew from an initial circulation of 42,000 to a circulation of a half million copies.<ref name=Circulation>{{cite web |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |title=Current Circulation |website=Prothom Alo |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116151815/http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[newspaper]] distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women and pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid.<ref name=Circulation /><ref>{{cite news |date=2005-08-01 |title=Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award |url=http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |work=Voice of America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052712/http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |archive-date=2009-07-13}}</ref> From press facilities located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra, around 5,00,000 copies (as of March '2014) are circulated each day.<ref name=":0" /> According to National Media Survey 2018, everyday 6.6 million people read the print edition of ''Prothom Alo''. The claimed readership of the online and print edition of this newspaper is 7.6 million.<ref>[National Media Survey 2018, SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd. (Associate of IMRB International)]</ref>


A senior reporter of Prothom Alo, Rozina Islam, was detained for 5 hours in [[Bangladesh Secretariat]] after she went there to cover the health ministry on 17 May 2021. A case was filed against her by an official of Health Service Division under the [[Official Secrets Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Rozina Islam faces charge under official secrets law|url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054|access-date=2021-05-18|website=The Business Standard|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518065805/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=I am a victim of unjust acts: Rozina Islam|url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207|access-date=2021-05-18|website=The Business Standard|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518064010/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207|url-status=live}}</ref> After filing of the case she was taken to Shahbagh Police Station.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-05-17|title=Prothom Alo journalist Rozina taken to police station after 5 hours' confinement at Secretariat|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917|access-date=2021-05-18|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518073958/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917|url-status=live}}</ref>
A senior reporter of Prothom Alo, Rozina Islam, was detained for 5 hours in [[Bangladesh Secretariat]] after she went there to cover the health ministry on 17 May 2021. A case was filed against her by an official of Health Service Division under the [[Official Secrets Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Rozina Islam faces charge under official secrets law|url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054|access-date=2021-05-18|website=[[The Business Standard]]|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518065805/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=I am a victim of unjust acts: Rozina Islam|url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207|access-date=2021-05-18|website=[[The Business Standard]]|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518064010/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207|url-status=live}}</ref> After filing of the case she was taken to Shahbagh Police Station.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-05-17|title=Prothom Alo journalist Rozina taken to police station after 5 hours' confinement at Secretariat|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917|access-date=2021-05-18|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|language=en|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518073958/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917|url-status=live}}</ref>
She was quizzed for 5 days in police remand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/সাংবাদিকতা-চালিয়ে-যাব-মুক্তির-পর-রোজিনা-ইসলাম|title=সাংবাদিকতা চালিয়ে যাব, মুক্তির পর রোজিনা ইসলাম|first=নিজস্ব|last=প্রতিবেদক|website=Prothomalo}}</ref>
She was quizzed for 5 days in police remand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/সাংবাদিকতা-চালিয়ে-যাব-মুক্তির-পর-রোজিনা-ইসলাম|title=সাংবাদিকতা চালিয়ে যাব, মুক্তির পর রোজিনা ইসলাম|first=নিজস্ব|last=প্রতিবেদক|website=Prothomalo}}</ref>
She was released upon bail from Kashimpur prison on 23 May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317|title=Rozina freed on bail after 7 days|first=Star Digital|last=Report|date=23 May 2021|website=The Daily Star|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523154827/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317|url-status=live}}</ref>
She was released upon bail from Kashimpur prison on 23 May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317|title=Rozina freed on bail after 7 days|first=Star Digital|last=Report|date=23 May 2021|website=The Daily Star|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523154827/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Digital platforms==
==Digital platforms==
The online portal of ''Prothom Alo''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/|title=Prothom Alo &#124; Latest online Bangla world news bd &#124; Sports photo video live|work=Prothom Alo|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=20 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120213730/https://www.prothomalo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> is the number 1 Bangladeshi website in the world.{{Citation needed|date= July 2017}} This portal is accessed by 1.6 million visitors from 200 countries and territories across the globe with 60 million pageviews per month. The e-paper site of ''Prothom Alo'' is also the Number 1 e-paper Web site of Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php|title=Prothom Alo ePaper &#124; Bangla Newspaper, World news &#124; eProthomalo|website=epaper.prothomalo.com|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=22 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122215932/https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Citation needed|date= July 2017}} From 160 countries, 465 thousand visitors access this website with more than 26 million page views per month. On average, each of the visitors stays for 20 minutes on this Web site. Based on Facebook fan following, ''Prothom Alo'' is one of the leading corporate houses in Bangladesh. Till November 2015, 6.75 Million people are following this newspaper through Facebook. This is the biggest FB Fan page for any organization in Bangladesh. ''Prothom Alo''{{'}}s blog (www.prothom-aloblog.com) provides a well-moderated platform where thousands of bloggers share their constructive thoughts on various contemporary issues. Moreover, nearly 700 thousand of the ''Prothom Alo'' app for various digital and mobile platforms have been downloaded as of October 2013. Altogether, printed and digital versions of ''Prothom Alo'' are being read by 12 million people from Bangladesh and 200 other countries and territories in a month.<ref>[National Media Survey 2012 (SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd.), Google Analytics, Alexa, Facebook]</ref>
The online portal of ''Prothom Alo''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/|title=Prothom Alo &#124; Latest online Bangla world news bd &#124; Sports photo video live|work=Prothom Alo|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=20 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120213730/https://www.prothomalo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> is the number 1 Bangladeshi website in the world.{{Citation needed|date= July 2017}} This portal is accessed by 1.6 million visitors from 200 countries and territories across the globe with 60 million pageviews per month. The e-paper site of ''Prothom Alo'' is also the Number 1 e-paper Web site of Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php|title=Prothom Alo ePaper &#124; Bangla Newspaper, World news &#124; eProthomalo|website=epaper.prothomalo.com|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=22 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122215932/https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Citation needed|date= July 2017}}


==Editors==
==Editors==
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''Prothom Alo'' has been carrying on a campaign against acid violence, drugs, [[HIV/AIDS]], and religious terrorism. For his contribution to this fight, the Philippines-based [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] Foundation has described editor Matiur Rahman as 'the guiding force in the positive changes in society and culture' and in 2005 honored him with a Magsaysay Award, which is considered to be the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'.<ref name=rmaf/> Rahman donated the prize money in equal proportion to the three funds that the Prothom Alo Trust has set up to help and support acid-burnt women, anti-drug campaigns, and persecuted journalists.
''Prothom Alo'' has been carrying on a campaign against acid violence, drugs, [[HIV/AIDS]], and religious terrorism. For his contribution to this fight, the Philippines-based [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] Foundation has described editor Matiur Rahman as 'the guiding force in the positive changes in society and culture' and in 2005 honored him with a Magsaysay Award, which is considered to be the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'.<ref name=rmaf/> Rahman donated the prize money in equal proportion to the three funds that the Prothom Alo Trust has set up to help and support acid-burnt women, anti-drug campaigns, and persecuted journalists.


==Sister Concerns==
==Sister concerns==
''Prothom Alo'', which belongs to Mediastar Ltd., has the following sister concerns:
''Prothom Alo'', which belongs to Mediastar Ltd., has the following sister concerns:
* '''ABC Radio FM 89.2''':<ref name=":1" /> Commercial operation of ABC Radio FM 89.2 commenced from 7 January 2009. It is one of the most popular FM radio channels of Dhaka city. Besides Dhaka, it is also being aired from Chittagong and Cox's Bazar stations.
* '''ABC Radio FM 89.2''':<ref name=":1" /> Commercial operation of ABC Radio FM 89.2 commenced from 7 January 2009. It is one of the most popular FM radio channels of Dhaka city. Besides Dhaka, it is also being aired from Chittagong and Cox's Bazar stations.
* '''Prothoma Prokashon''' : Prothoma Prokashon is a publication house that started its journey in 2008. This publication house has been highly praised by different quarters for its quality publication works. Prothoma Prokashon received awards from Bangla Academy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
* '''Prothoma Prokashon''' : Prothoma Prokashon is a publication house that started its journey in 2008. This publication house has been highly praised by different quarters for its quality publication works. Prothoma Prokashon received awards from Bangla Academy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
* '''Prothoma Boier Dunia''': Prothoma Boier Dunia or Prothoma World of Books is a bookselling outlet with five stores in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi.
* '''Prothoma Boier Dunia''': Prothoma Boier Dunia or Prothoma World of Books is a bookselling outlet with five stores in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi.

* '''''Protichinta''''': ''Protichinta'' is a quarterly journal on social, economic, and political issues.
* '''''Protichinta''''': ''Protichinta'' is a quarterly journal on social, economic, and political issues.

* '''''Kishor Alo''''' : ''Kishor Alo'', a monthly magazine for youngsters, started its journey in October 2013. Stories, novels, poems, quizzes, magic, adventures, traveling, science, jokes, and many other interesting features are published in this colorful monthly magazine. Kishor Alo also has a large number of volunteers all over Bangladesh.
[[File:The cover of the monthly magazine Kishor Alo (March 2024).jpg|left|thumb|116x116px|'''The cover of the monthly magazine Kishor Alo (March 2024)''']]

* '''''Kishor Alo''''' : ''Kishor Alo'', a monthly magazine for youngsters, started its journey in October 2013. Stories, novels, poems, quizzes, magic, adventures, traveling, science, jokes, and many other interesting features are published in this colorful monthly magazine. Kishor Alo also has a large number of volunteers all over Bangladesh.

* '''''Biggan Chinta''''' : ''Biggan Chinta'' a monthly magazine for science lovers, started its journey from October 2016. It contains science writings (mainly about [[astrophysics]] and [[environmental science]]), interviews with scientists, science fiction and many others.
* '''''Biggan Chinta''''' : ''Biggan Chinta'' a monthly magazine for science lovers, started its journey from October 2016. It contains science writings (mainly about [[astrophysics]] and [[environmental science]]), interviews with scientists, science fiction and many others.
* '''Chakri.com (former Prothom Alo Jobs)''': Chakri.com offers regular recruitment circulars and solutions, corporate training services, and career counseling.
* '''Chakri.com (former Prothom Alo Jobs)''': Chakri.com offers regular recruitment circulars and solutions, corporate training services, and career counseling.
Line 83: Line 87:
''Prothom Alo'' is often criticized for its liberal attitude. A [[2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy|cartoon]] by Arifur Rahman was published in Alpin about a joke partly related to religion, causing protests against the Newspaper. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement.<ref name=Independent>{{cite news |date=2007-09-25 |title=Prothom Alo ordered to suspend 'Alpin' publication |url=http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2007-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713232212/http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The editor of the ''Prothom Alo'' acknowledged the gaffe. In a statement released by ''Prothom Alo'', the editor of Alpin, Matiur Rahman, apologized, expressing regret for publishing the cartoon. The cartoonist was jailed for six months and two days, he was arrested 18 September 2007<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm|title=Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh|date=2007-09-19|access-date=2019-07-12|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406060610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and released 20 March 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm|title=Cartoonist released in Bangladesh|date=2008-03-20|access-date=2019-07-12|language=en-GB|archive-date=30 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230182334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm|title=Violence over Bangladesh cartoon|date=2007-09-21|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-02|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722211831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php|title=Cartoonist freed|author=Committee to Protect Journalists|location=New York|website=cpj.org|date=21 March 2008|language=en|access-date=2019-07-12|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708142350/https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Prothom Alo'' is often criticized for its liberal attitude. A [[2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy|cartoon]] by Arifur Rahman was published in Alpin about a joke partly related to religion, causing protests against the Newspaper. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement.<ref name=Independent>{{cite news |date=2007-09-25 |title=Prothom Alo ordered to suspend 'Alpin' publication |url=http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2007-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713232212/http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The editor of the ''Prothom Alo'' acknowledged the gaffe. In a statement released by ''Prothom Alo'', the editor of Alpin, Matiur Rahman, apologized, expressing regret for publishing the cartoon. The cartoonist was jailed for six months and two days, he was arrested 18 September 2007<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm|title=Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh|date=2007-09-19|access-date=2019-07-12|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406060610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and released 20 March 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm|title=Cartoonist released in Bangladesh|date=2008-03-20|access-date=2019-07-12|language=en-GB|archive-date=30 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230182334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm|title=Violence over Bangladesh cartoon|date=2007-09-21|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-02|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722211831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php|title=Cartoonist freed|author=Committee to Protect Journalists|location=New York|website=cpj.org|date=21 March 2008|language=en|access-date=2019-07-12|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708142350/https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2012, a High Court bench issued an injunction on the publication of Humayun Ahmed's [[political fiction]] ''Deyal'' at daily ''Prothom Alo''{{'}}s weekly ''Shahitto Samwiki'' on a Friday. The bench of Justice also asked the government and the writer to explain why they should not be directed to correct a part of the fiction for presenting a 'distorted' version of the [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassination]] of the country's founding president [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] and his minor son Sheikh Russel. The controversial part of the fiction was published by Bangla daily ''Prothom Alo'' in its 11 May issue. The chapters portrayed Khandker Moshtaque in a manner that he did not know about the killings beforehand.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-05-16 |title=HC injunction on publication of Humayun's novel ''Deyal'' |url=http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |newspaper=New Age |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125175512/http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |archive-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2012, a High Court bench issued an injunction on the publication of Humayun Ahmed's [[political fiction]] ''Deyal'' at daily ''Prothom Alo''{{'}}s weekly ''Shahitto Samwiki'' on a Friday. The bench of Justice also asked the government and the writer to explain why they should not be directed to correct a part of the fiction for presenting a 'distorted' version of the [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassination]] of the country's founding president [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] and his minor son Sheikh Russel. The controversial part of the fiction was published by Bangla daily ''Prothom Alo'' in its 11 May issue. The chapters portrayed Khandker Moshtaque in a manner that he did not know about the killings beforehand.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-05-16 |title=HC injunction on publication of Humayun's novel ''Deyal'' |url=http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |newspaper=New Age |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125175512/http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |archive-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 2024, the protesters demand closure of the newspaper after daily criticized Yunis Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/pldo83ldm4|title=Prothom Alo’s Rajshahi office vandalised|publisher=Prothom Alo}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 90: Line 94:
*''[[Daily Naya Diganta]]''
*''[[Daily Naya Diganta]]''
*''[[Jugantor]]''
*''[[Jugantor]]''
* ''Daily Protidiner Sangbad
* ''[[The Daily Ittefaq]]''
* ''[[The Daily Ittefaq]]''
* [[List of newspapers in Bangladesh]]
* [[List of newspapers in Bangladesh]]
* [[Desh Rupantor]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:44, 2 December 2024

Prothom Alo
Prothom Alo building
TypeDaily newspaper
FormatBroadsheet
Owner(s)Transcom Group
PublisherMatiur Rahman
Editor-in-chiefMatiur Rahman
Founded4 November 1998 (1998-11-04)
LanguageBangla and English
HeadquartersProgoti Insurance Bhobon, 20-21, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka - 1215, Bangladesh
CountryBangladesh
Circulation525,001 (January 2013)[1]
Websitewww.prothomalo.com

The Daily Prothom Alo (Bengali: প্রথম আলো) is a Bengali-language daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka. It is the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh.[2]

According to the National Media Survey of 2018, conducted by Kantar MRB Bangladesh, Prothom Alo has a daily readership of more than 6.6 million online. According to Alexa Internet, an American web traffic analysis company, the online portal of Prothom Alo is the most visited Bengali website in the world.[3]

History

Front page of Prothom Alo on 11 June 2012

Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. The circulation of Prothom Alo grew from an initial circulation of 42,000 to a circulation of a half million copies.[1] The newspaper distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women and pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid.[1][4] From press facilities located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra, around 5,00,000 copies (as of March '2014) are circulated each day.[2] According to National Media Survey 2018, everyday 6.6 million people read the print edition of Prothom Alo. The claimed readership of the online and print edition of this newspaper is 7.6 million.[5]

A senior reporter of Prothom Alo, Rozina Islam, was detained for 5 hours in Bangladesh Secretariat after she went there to cover the health ministry on 17 May 2021. A case was filed against her by an official of Health Service Division under the Official Secrets Act.[6][7] After filing of the case she was taken to Shahbagh Police Station.[8] She was quizzed for 5 days in police remand.[9] She was released upon bail from Kashimpur prison on 23 May 2021.[10]

Digital platforms

The online portal of Prothom Alo[11] is the number 1 Bangladeshi website in the world.[citation needed] This portal is accessed by 1.6 million visitors from 200 countries and territories across the globe with 60 million pageviews per month. The e-paper site of Prothom Alo is also the Number 1 e-paper Web site of Bangladesh.[12] [citation needed]

Editors

Matiur Rahman, the editor of Prothom Alo

Since its founding in 1998, Matiur Rahman is the chief editor of the newspaper.[13] He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2005 in the category of Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.[14]

Mathematics Olympiad

Prothom Alo helped to popularise Mathematics in Bangladesh. It organized Mathematics Olympiad for the first time in Bangladesh in 2003. It is one of the main sponsors and the main organizer of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad.[15]

Recognition

Prothom Alo has been carrying on a campaign against acid violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, and religious terrorism. For his contribution to this fight, the Philippines-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has described editor Matiur Rahman as 'the guiding force in the positive changes in society and culture' and in 2005 honored him with a Magsaysay Award, which is considered to be the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'.[14] Rahman donated the prize money in equal proportion to the three funds that the Prothom Alo Trust has set up to help and support acid-burnt women, anti-drug campaigns, and persecuted journalists.

Sister concerns

Prothom Alo, which belongs to Mediastar Ltd., has the following sister concerns:

  • ABC Radio FM 89.2:[3] Commercial operation of ABC Radio FM 89.2 commenced from 7 January 2009. It is one of the most popular FM radio channels of Dhaka city. Besides Dhaka, it is also being aired from Chittagong and Cox's Bazar stations.
  • Prothoma Prokashon : Prothoma Prokashon is a publication house that started its journey in 2008. This publication house has been highly praised by different quarters for its quality publication works. Prothoma Prokashon received awards from Bangla Academy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
  • Prothoma Boier Dunia: Prothoma Boier Dunia or Prothoma World of Books is a bookselling outlet with five stores in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi.
  • Protichinta: Protichinta is a quarterly journal on social, economic, and political issues.
The cover of the monthly magazine Kishor Alo (March 2024)
  • Kishor Alo : Kishor Alo, a monthly magazine for youngsters, started its journey in October 2013. Stories, novels, poems, quizzes, magic, adventures, traveling, science, jokes, and many other interesting features are published in this colorful monthly magazine. Kishor Alo also has a large number of volunteers all over Bangladesh.
  • Biggan Chinta : Biggan Chinta a monthly magazine for science lovers, started its journey from October 2016. It contains science writings (mainly about astrophysics and environmental science), interviews with scientists, science fiction and many others.
  • Chakri.com (former Prothom Alo Jobs): Chakri.com offers regular recruitment circulars and solutions, corporate training services, and career counseling.
Meril-Prothom Alo Award Giving Ceremony, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC)

Criticism

Prothom Alo is often criticized for its liberal attitude. A cartoon by Arifur Rahman was published in Alpin about a joke partly related to religion, causing protests against the Newspaper. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement.[16] The editor of the Prothom Alo acknowledged the gaffe. In a statement released by Prothom Alo, the editor of Alpin, Matiur Rahman, apologized, expressing regret for publishing the cartoon. The cartoonist was jailed for six months and two days, he was arrested 18 September 2007[17] and released 20 March 2008.[18][19][20]

In 2012, a High Court bench issued an injunction on the publication of Humayun Ahmed's political fiction Deyal at daily Prothom Alo's weekly Shahitto Samwiki on a Friday. The bench of Justice also asked the government and the writer to explain why they should not be directed to correct a part of the fiction for presenting a 'distorted' version of the assassination of the country's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his minor son Sheikh Russel. The controversial part of the fiction was published by Bangla daily Prothom Alo in its 11 May issue. The chapters portrayed Khandker Moshtaque in a manner that he did not know about the killings beforehand.[21] in 2024, the protesters demand closure of the newspaper after daily criticized Yunis Government.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Current Circulation". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Top 10 Newspapers of Bangladesh (With Pictures)". yourarticlelibrary.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Top Sites in Bangladesh". Alexa. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award". Voice of America. 1 August 2005. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009.
  5. ^ [National Media Survey 2018, SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd. (Associate of IMRB International)]
  6. ^ "Rozina Islam faces charge under official secrets law". The Business Standard. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  7. ^ "I am a victim of unjust acts: Rozina Islam". The Business Standard. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Prothom Alo journalist Rozina taken to police station after 5 hours' confinement at Secretariat". The Daily Star. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব. "সাংবাদিকতা চালিয়ে যাব, মুক্তির পর রোজিনা ইসলাম". Prothomalo.
  10. ^ Report, Star Digital (23 May 2021). "Rozina freed on bail after 7 days". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Prothom Alo | Latest online Bangla world news bd | Sports photo video live". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Prothom Alo ePaper | Bangla Newspaper, World news | eProthomalo". epaper.prothomalo.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Bangladesh through Matiur Rahman of Prothom Alo's eyes". Adgully.com. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  14. ^ a b Rahman, Matiur (2 September 2005). "When Media Takes a Stand for Social Change: The Experience of Prothom Alo in Bangladesh". Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh IMO team 2007". Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad Committee. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  16. ^ "Prothom Alo ordered to suspend 'Alpin' publication". The Independent. Dhaka. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  17. ^ "Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh". 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  18. ^ "Cartoonist released in Bangladesh". 20 March 2008. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Violence over Bangladesh cartoon". BBC. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  20. ^ Committee to Protect Journalists (21 March 2008). "Cartoonist freed". cpj.org. New York. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  21. ^ "HC injunction on publication of Humayun's novel Deyal". New Age. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Prothom Alo's Rajshahi office vandalised". Prothom Alo.

Media related to Prothom Alo at Wikimedia Commons