Mahfuz Anam

Mahfuz Anam is a Bangladeshi journalist, editor, and publisher who leads The Daily Star. He serves as the founder of the Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh and holds leadership positions within various international media networks.

Early life and education

Anam was born on 18 June 1950 in Mymensingh, East Bengal, which was then part of the Dominion of Pakistan. He is the youngest son of Abul Mansur Ahmed, a lawyer and politician who served as the provincial Minister of Education in 1954. His father also held the position of central Minister of Commerce and Industries between 1956 and 1957. Anam attended Notre Dame College in Dhaka to begin his academic journey.

He later studied economics at the University of Dhaka under the instruction of Rehman Sobhan. During his student years, he won the All Pakistan Debating Championship for 3 consecutive years in 1967, 1968 and 1969. These competitions took place in Karachi, Dhaka and Lahore. Anam participated in political rallies as a student, including the 7th March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In 1971, he campaigned for the independence of East Pakistan and joined the Mukti Bahini during the final months of the war.

Career

Anam started his professional career in March 1972 as a staff correspondent for The Bangladesh Observer. He later held the role of assistant editor at The Bangladesh Times. In 1976, the East-West Center awarded him the Thomas Jefferson Fellowship in Journalism. Between 1977 and 1990, he worked for UNESCO as a media officer and spokesman. His assignments included postings in Paris, New York City and Bangkok, where he eventually served as the Regional Media and Public Affairs Representative.

While stationed in Bangkok, Anam collaborated with Syed Mohammad Ali to establish a new newspaper in Bangladesh. They secured financial backing from investors including Azimur Rahman, A. S. Mahmud, Latifur Rahman, A. Rouf Chowdhury and Shamsur Rahman. The Daily Star was founded in 1991 during the transition to parliamentary democracy. It quickly became the largest English-language daily in the country, surpassing rivals such as Holiday and The Bangladesh Observer. Following the death of S. M. Ali in 1993, Anam took charge of the journalistic operations. Mediaworld Ltd appointed him as publisher in 1998.

Anam has navigated various political challenges throughout his tenure. In 1991, he published a photograph of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the front page, which resulted in the resignation of 25 staff members. During the premiership of Khaleda Zia from 2001 to 2006, he faced defamation lawsuits from leaders of the BNP. He was also found in contempt of court for reporting on a judge who had falsified academic credentials. During the 2007–2008 state of emergency, Anam criticized the army chief and wrote about the dangers of military interference in democracy.

He holds several prominent leadership roles in the media sector. Anam is the founding president of the Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh and served as Secretary-General of the Editors Council of Bangladesh. He was elected chairman of the Asia News Network in 2007, 2022 and 2023. Additionally, he works with the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Bangladeshi chapter of Transparency International.

Personal life

Anam is described as a libertarian who supports improving relations with India regarding foreign policy. In 2010, he delivered a keynote speech addressing why China should be interested in Bangladesh through economic growth and trade. He remains an active figure in the intellectual and journalistic circles of his country.

Awards and recognition

Anam is an Honorary Fellow of Bangla Academy. He also received the Thomas Jefferson Fellowship in Journalism in 1976.