The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladeshi cameraman Rafiqur Rahman has won the Reuters Camera Operator of the Year 2007 Award for "his outstanding and courageous coverage of Bangladesh events" for Reuters Television during the year.

Reuters Editor in Chief David Schlesinger handed over the award to him at a function at the Reuters headquarters in London on February 28.

"Over the last 27 years, and particularly in 2007," Schlesinger mentioned in the citation, "Reuters has been able to showcase remarkable exclusive video overage of Bangladesh through Rafiqur's dedication to the story event in the most hazardous conditions."

"This award is given to an individual who has produced excellent footage either on a particular even or at a number of events throughout the year," said Reuters.

Working with Reuters since 1982, Rafiqur Rahman is currently the cameraman for Reuters Television in Bangladesh. He started as a news photographer in now defunct Dhaka daily, The People, in 1970. Later, he was press photographer for two other dailies, Banglar Bani and the Bangladesh Times.

A Reuters, overview on him said, "Rafiqur Rahman is the ultimate example of the modern day video journalist." Over the past year, it said, Rafiqur's work in Bangladesh has demonstrated his expertise and courage.

Despite the cancellation of elections in January last year, along with the violent protests that followed, Rafiqur showed "tenacity and determination to get the story."

Day after day, it said, he was on the street at first light to highlight the security situation, ensuring an edit and script were in Singapore in time for European breakfast bulletins, then back out on the streets for the inevitable street protests later in the day.

In the middle of these protests, said Reuters, he was set upon by a mob and beaten with iron bars.

Rafiqur has been the principal television shooter for Reuters Television and its predecessor Visnews for the Past 27 years, said Reuters.