Senior Reporter of The Daily Star Zayadul Ahsan and Senior Reporter of the Janakantha Sharifuzzaman jointly received the first prize while the second prize went to Liton Haidar, staff reporter of the Bhorer Kagoj.

Zayadul was awarded for his investigative report titled 'Murky way to millions' that brought to light how Titas Gas metre readers become millionaire through rampant corruption. The report was carried in The Daily Star in May, 2002.

Sharifuzzaman was awarded for exposing various misleading facts in the textbooks through a series-report titled 'Boarder Boi Ja Shekhachhey' (what textbook teaches) published in the Janakantha during January and February, 2002.

Liton got the award for his investigative report titled 'Kara Durnitee' exposing corruption, irregularities and mismanagement in the prison. It was carried in the Bhorer Kagoj in August, 2002.

Both Zayadul and Sharifuzzaman received cheques for Tk50, 000 each, certificates and crests while Liton got a cheque for Tk10,000, certificate and crest at a function in the city.

TIB Chairman Khan Sarwar Murshid was in the chair.

He said, "In our observation, we have found 97.03 percent corruption reports accurate."

Prof. Muzzafer Ahmad, a trustee member of TIB, said the journalists have enormous contribution to the present status of TIB.

Poet Shamsur Rahman called upon the media men to carry on their good work for the welfare of the society.

"An individual may be submerged in colossal corruption, but collectively human beings are not so because of their eternal quest for ultimate truth in their soul," said Dhaka's Assistant Bishop Theotonious Gomes.

The panel of judges for the Investigative Journalism Award-2003 comprised journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Dr Asif Nazrul, Dr. Arefin Siddique of Dhaka University, Financial Express Editor Moazzem Hossain and writer Selina Hossain.

The TIB instituted the award- one for Bangla and one for English in 1999.