Sabir Mustafa
Reading,Berkshire
Summary
A highly accomplished journalist with extensive experience in change management, digital transformation and team-building. Proven leadership skills, having led teams in multiple locations (UK, India and Bangladesh.) Experience in working with media partners such as TV stations and other stakeholders. Proven track record in editorially leading complex output on various platforms, from planning to execution, mentoring and coaching teams and managing performance. Proficient in English and Bangla, with strong writing skills.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work history
Managing Editor, Bangla
Voice of America
Washington, DC, United States
10.2023 - 03.2025
- Editorial planning and execution.
- Supervising staff, guiding and mentoring.
- Writing stories for VOA News in English and VOA Bangla.
Head of Service
BBC News Bangla
London, United Kingdom
06.2001 - 03.2023
- Led and managed teams in London, Dhaka and Kolkata.
- Editorially led and managed digital transformation of service.
- Worked with Business Development to manage partnership with local TV channels.
- Represented the BBC in maintaining relations with Bangladeshi officials.
Assistant Editor
The Daily Star
Dhaka, Bangladesh
10.1998 - 03.1999
- Ran special weekly feature page.
- Wrote editorials and a weekly column on current affairs.
Assistant Editor
The Financial Express
Dhaka, Bangladesh
09.1993 - 07.1998
- Wrote editorials and Op-Eds, plus special reports.
- Commissioned and edited stories filed by staff and contributors.
- Ran special weekly feature page on human rights and social development.
- Covered three UN conferences - Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994 (with sponsorship from Ford Foundation), Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995 and UN Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.
Assistant Editor
The Daily Star
Dhaka, Bangladesh
02.1991 - 01.1993
- Wrote Editorials and Op-eds.
- Occasionally wrote features and news stories.
- Produced special supplements (.
Assistant Editor
Dialogue
Dhaka, Bangladesh
07.1988 - 12.1990
- Managed output on international events and developments.
- Liaised with foreign contributors, commissioned and edited articles.
- Used Desktop Publishing tool QuarkXpress to design pages for the tabloid-shaped weekly newsmagazine.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations and Politics
North Staffordshire Polytechnic
Stoke on Trent06.1983
A-Levels - British Constitution
Ludlow College
Ludlow06.1979
A-Levels - History, Economics
Bedstone School
Bucknell, Shropshire06.1978
O levels - Various
Manor House Descartes
Beirut, Lebanon06.1975
Skills
- Transformed BBC Bangla from a radio-only service to a multi-media platform
- Built new teams in Dhaka and Kolkata, while leading team of experienced journalists in London
- Worked with Project Management team to set up two BBC bureaus in Dhaka
- Negotiated the broadcast of BBC Bangla’s first current affairs TV programme ‘Probaho’ in 2015, with a partner channel in Bangladesh
- Collaborated with BBC's charity arm, BBC Media Action to co-produce landmark TV debate programme 'Bangladesh Sanglap' on partner channel
- Produced and edited weekly feature page on human rights and social development in The Financial Express in Bangladesh (1993-98)
- Produced video reports on the dilemma facing Bangladeshi-American voters in the 2024 Presidential elections
- Worked closely with BBC's press team to produce communication assets to promote key events
- Conducted a limited study on disability in selected Asian countries, with recommendations for the BBC
Timeline
Managing Editor, Bangla
Voice of America
10.2023 - 03.2025
Head of Service
BBC News Bangla
06.2001 - 03.2023
Assistant Editor
The Daily Star
10.1998 - 03.1999
Assistant Editor
The Financial Express
09.1993 - 07.1998
Assistant Editor
The Daily Star
02.1991 - 01.1993
Assistant Editor
Dialogue
07.1988 - 12.1990
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations and Politics
North Staffordshire Polytechnic
A-Levels - British Constitution
Ludlow College
A-Levels - History, Economics
Bedstone School
O levels - Various
Manor House Descartes
Similar Profiles
Freeka AdzannurFreeka Adzannur
Multimedia Journalist at Voice Of AmericaMultimedia Journalist at Voice Of America
Ziya MajidliZiya Majidli
YouTube Manager at VOICE OF AMERICAYouTube Manager at VOICE OF AMERICA
Milan NesicMilan Nesic
International Multimedia Broadcaster at Voice of AmericaInternational Multimedia Broadcaster at Voice of America
ANTHONY ISABOKEANTHONY ISABOKE
Key Holding Supervisor at KA SecurityKey Holding Supervisor at KA Security
Sadia QayyumSadia Qayyum
Accounts receivable specialist at Dye & DurhamAccounts receivable specialist at Dye & Durham