Jaima Islam: On the Path of Investigative Journalism

On the night of 18 December 2025, just before midnight, senior journalist Jaima Islam of The Daily Star was finalising a major report on Shaheed Osman Hadi for the second edition of the paper. The newsroom was tense but focused.

Amid her preparations, news arrived that extremists had attacked Prothom Alo. Rushing to the second floor after submitting her story, Jaima witnessed chaos unfolding below—glass shattered, debris strewn across the streets. Despite the danger, she did not waver. In a brief but harrowing Facebook post, she described the scene: “I cannot breathe. I am trapped inside. Smoke everywhere. You are trying to kill me.”

Over two decades in journalism, Jaima has confronted numerous challenges. From investigating the alleged money laundering of influential businessman S. Alam during the previous Awami League government to reporting on serious human rights violations by security forces, she has consistently pursued truth despite risks. Yet, she recalls that night as unparalleled in intensity. Even so, she channels the experience without anger, remarking, “They are also our readers. They may dislike us, and they have the right to do so.”

Early Beginnings and Career Path

Jaima’s journey into journalism began not with inspiration but necessity. At age 15, she started writing for magazines while still in school. Limited pocket money from her mother motivated her to earn through writing. After school, she contributed lifestyle articles to New Age.

She later attended Asian University for Women, completing her O-Levels and A-Levels at Sunbeams School. During her studies, she undertook internships at The Daily Star, the World Bank, and other institutions. In 2012, she completed a three-month internship at The Daily Star, joining as a full-time reporter in 2013.

Navigating Risks as a Woman Reporter

Journalism is inherently risky, but for women, the challenges multiply. Early in her career, Jaima faced harassment—from unwelcome calls to intimidation by police. Sometimes the danger extended not to her but to her sources. She recalls, “A simple story revealed that a source was being transferred. Risks grow with experience.”

Even today, newsroom cultures often underestimate women or restrict their reporting due to safety concerns. She cites a 2013 case: the midnight murder of a Pir in Gopibagh. Supervisors hesitated to send her, but Jaima proceeded, determined to cover the event despite potential hazards. For sensitive stories, such as those on enforced disappearances, her office often keeps her name confidential. Yet she emphasises personal accountability: “If it were my decision, I would publish my name, fully aware of the potential consequences for myself and my family.”

Jaima believes controlling fear is central to journalistic integrity. “If fear controls a reporter, it will pull them into an abyss,” she warns, underscoring the courage required to report truth in the face of danger.