Sajibur Rahman
Verified
(He/Him)
- Freelance Writer, Mongabay
- Freelancer, Energy Tracker Asia
- Freelance Journalist, The Deltagram
- Staff Reporter, The Financial Express (Bangladesh)
Dhaka
As seen in:
Mongabay,
The Deltagram,
The Financial Express (Bangladesh),
The Financial Express (FE),
EIN News,
Eco-Business,
HT Syndication,
The Climate Watch,
Ceramic Bangladesh,
Shaping Bangladesh Magazine,
Energy Insights
Covers:
Economics, business, energy, climate change, agriculture, livestock and Fisheries, human rights, law, and politics
Doesn't Cover:
Sports
An award-winning Bangladeshi journalist currently working as a reporter at The Financial Express, Bangladesh's top financial daily
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I started as a campus reporter for The Financial Express in 2007. My first professional journalism role was with NewsNextBD (English version.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No, I have not used a typewriter; my reporting and writing have always been digital.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is reshaping how news is gathered, shared, and consumed. For areas I cover—economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, development, geopolitics, diplomacy, and security—social platforms provide instant access to breaking developments, public sentiment, and primary sources. However, they also increase the risk of misinformation, making it essential for journalists to verify facts and provide context while leveraging social media to reach wider audiences quickly
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
One of my favorite fictional journalists is Lois Lane. I admire her courage, persistence, and dedication to uncovering the truth, while also appreciating the storytelling flair that makes her character memorable and relatable.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a journalist means to seek and report the truth, provide accurate and timely information, and hold those in power accountable. It involves investigating, verifying facts, and telling stories that inform, educate, and empower the public, while maintaining integrity and ethical standards.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
One of the funniest news-related hashtags I’ve seen is #BreakingNotBreaking, often used humorously when minor events are reported as major breaking news. It’s a reminder of how media sometimes overdramatizes stories
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer pitches that are concise, clear, and directly relevant to my areas of coverage, including economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, development issues, geopolitics, diplomacy, and security. Providing key facts, credible sources, and a unique angle makes a pitch stand out.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use a range of tools and software to do my job effectively, including content management systems (CMS) for publishing, Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for writing and reporting, data analysis tools like Excel, fact-checking platforms, and digital communication tools such as email, Zoom, and WhatsApp. I also rely on social media platforms and online databases for research, sourcing information, and tracking developments in economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, geopolitics, diplomacy, and security.
What's your favorite social network?
My favorite social network is LinkedIn. It helps me stay connected with professionals, track developments in economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, geopolitics, diplomacy, and security, and discover credible sources and story ideas.
Who do you wish followed you?
I welcome journalists, editors, media professionals, and organizations covering economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, and development issues.
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist because I have a passion for uncovering the truth, telling stories that matter, and informing the public. I wanted to use my skills to report on issues like economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, and development, helping people understand complex topics and holding those in power accountable.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I am most proud of stories that have had a tangible impact on public awareness and accountability, particularly in the areas of economics, business, geopolitics, politics, crime, human rights, and climate change. For example, my investigative work on land-office corruption and digital service failures exposed systemic issues affecting citizens’ rights and access to services. I have also reported extensively on the challenges of sustainable finance and climate action in Bangladesh, highlighting gaps between policy and practice. These stories not only informed readers but also encouraged dialogue and reform, which is the essence of why I became a journalist
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Aspiring journalists should prioritize curiosity, integrity, and accuracy. Always verify facts, seek diverse perspectives, and develop strong storytelling skills. Be adaptable to new technologies and platforms, stay informed on current affairs, and never stop learning. Most importantly, approach every story with empathy and a commitment to informing the public responsibly
When's the best time to pitch you?
I review pitches throughout the week, but weekdays in the morning (9–11 a.m.) are ideal. I’m open to story ideas related to economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, and development issues
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The best pitches I receive are those that are concise, well-researched, and directly relevant to my beats—economics, business, environment.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst pitches I receive are those that are vague, irrelevant, or poorly researched—especially on topics like economics, business, environment, climate change, law, human rights, geopolitics, diplomacy, or security. Pitches without credible sources, clear facts, or a unique angle make it difficult to assess their newsworthiness and often get ignored.
What's your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is tea. It helps me stay alert during reporting, writing, and long hours covering stories in the field
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I’m not at a computer, I’m most likely in the field reporting, attending interviews, exploring stories on the ground, or reading to stay updated on current events and developments in economics, law, environment, and human rights
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
BBC
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
A common misperception about my beat is that issues like economics, environment, climate change, law, human rights, geopolitics, and security are purely technical or abstract. In reality, these topics directly affect people’s daily lives, governance, and national development, and reporting on them requires both accuracy and context to make them relatable and actionable for readers
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