Mahbubul Alam, a true journalist who during his career as journalist served to shape the core of professional journalism in Bangladesh, passed away at 78. The profile of late Alam — full of so many colors that testifies to his manifold expertise and professionalism — ranging from being a veteran journalist, representing Bangladesh as ambassador, being part of the cabinet of a caretaker government, lecturing at universities and participating in many more prestigious responsibilities. Alam’s career in the journalism profession spanned over 60 long years. At a very early stage of his journalist career, as a correspondent for the Karachi-based Dawn newspaper in New Delhi, he covered the funeral of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964. By the 1980s, of course, Alam was an older, different man. When editor of the Daily New Nation he was made ambassador of Bhutan.He was editor of the weekly Dialogue (1992-1995), chief editor and managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (1987-1989). His last editorial position was in the Daily Independent.Born in Munshigonj district on February 5, 1935 to a respected Muslim family, the veteran journalist started his journalism career in 1953.In the middle of his career, it became evident that at some point he needed diversity, to serve his fellow men through positions in the administration. The 1980s were the times when he served, besides in Bhutan, as a minister of the press at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington; as press councilor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington(1978-1980) in its external Publicity Wing, as spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs (1980-1983), as director general, external publicity at the Foreign Office here in Dhaka; and as managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Lately, he was editor of the Independent for over a decade.Alam’s career although rather unnoticed from an academic perspective was brilliant as he had the privilege of lecturing on Bangladesh affairs at different universities in the United States, including the University of Wisconsin at Madison, New York State University at Stony Brook and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.Amid all these responsibilities and many roles he undertook, probably Mr Alam would be remembered mostly because of his deeply inspiring and amicable traits as a decent man. Some coworkers still recall that, impressed by the story of Lee Iaccocca’s rise in life, he made it a point to ask the young newsmen around him to read the man’s biography. Alam never failed to persuade younger journalists to be part of his team. Courage was his mark. As a journalist he was responsible without malice or arrogance.When journalism is facing the crisis of politicization for destroying the professional integrity and independence of journalists, Mr Alam remained steadfast to professional journalism and refused to be a party activist. The young journalists will do good to them and their profession by emulating his example as a professional journalist.We mourn and remember Mr Alam as a reputed journalist and a good man.
