The London Bangla Press Club (LBPC) is a British-Bangladeshi media association, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The organization is charity-based. It was founded in 1993 as a professional umbrella organization to bring together UK-based Bangladeshi-origin media organizations in print, publishing, electronic, television, and radio. It works to broaden the horizon and empower the wider Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom.
The organization promotes all forms of media education, encompassing life skills, art, culture, heritage, socioeconomic, technical, and creative skills training, as well as media-oriented employment opportunities. Its membership consists of British journalists of Bangladeshi origin who are involved in the journalistic, press, publishing, or broadcasting sector. London Bangla Press Club serves as a foundation for these media professionals.
Mission & Objectives
The London Bangla Press Club’s objectives are to benefit the Bangladeshi community, particularly individuals involved in journalism, print, electronic, press, publishing, broadcasting, or the media sector, although not exclusively.
- The club aims to alleviate poverty and distress among the public, particularly those connected to journalism, publishing media, and allied trades, as well as their dependent relatives who are in need, experiencing hardship, or distress due to age, infirmity, disability, or youth, although not exclusively.
- The club aims to promote public education and training by offering vocational courses and enhancing teaching skills in journalism, information technology, publishing, media studies, and the production of print, electronic, and broadcast media.
- The club promotes the efficient and practical application of resources for charitable purposes by advising on all forms of communication media, inspired by the London Bangla Press Club’s initiative.
Activities
London Bangla Press Club organizes various programs and activities for its members.
- Organize general meetings
- Organise press conferences
- Present awards and recognitions
- Organize media workshops to enhance member skillset
- Organize internal sports competition (chess, carrom, and ludo competitions)
- Celebrate Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day
- Help practice the Bangla language in the British Bangladeshi media
- Connecting with the Bangladeshi community
- Organize picnic and Ramadan festivities, etc.
Membership
The club has 323 members in different categories. London Bangla Press Club offers membership in seven categories:
- Full Membership:
Journalists or professionals in the UK media sector with at least two years of experience are eligible to apply for full membership. Full members must agree with the Club’s objectives and have no criminal convictions or bankruptcy orders. Their membership will be canceled if they become bankrupt or receive a criminal record. - Associate Membership:
Associate Membership is open to those outside the media who perform similar work. Membership is valid for two years and requires renewal with a new application, eligibility documents, and a subscription fee. - Life Members:
Life Membership in the LBPC is open to individuals who support the journalistic sector, subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Full and Associate Members are eligible to apply for Life Membership. - Honorary Life Member:
Honorary Life membership is open to individuals who have contributed to journalism, the press, publishing, or the media. The Executive Committee nominates individuals, and approval requires a majority vote at a general meeting. Being named an Honorary Life Member by the London Bangla Press Club is considered a significant honor. - Corporate Member:
Corporate membership is open to businesses in the press, publishing, electronic, broadcasting, and media sectors. The fee, as determined by the Executive Committee, may be subject to change. - Honorary membership for the Media outlet owner:
Two members from UK-based Bangladeshi Sky-listed TV outlets and one from regular news organizations can apply for honorary membership, but cannot vote or stand for election. - Patronage category:
The club patronizes distinguished individuals who can contribute significantly to the London Bangla Press Club.
Team
President: Mohammed Jubair
Senior Vice President: Tareq Chowdhury
Vice President: Saiyem Chowdhury
General Secretary: Taysir Mahmud
Assistant Secretary: Md Rezaul Karim Mridha
Treasurer: Shaleh Ahmed
Assistant Treasurer: Ibrahim Khalil
Organising & Training Secretary: Md Akramul Hossain
Media & IT Secretary: Md Abdul Hannan
Event & Facilities Secretary: Rupi Amin
Executive Member: Shahidur Rahman Suhel
Executive Member: Foysol Mahmud
Executive Member: Mariam Poly Rahman
Executive Member: Zakir Hussain
Executive Member: Anwar Shahjahan