Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief and publisher of bdnews24.com and a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s digital journalism, has died in London after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 59.
Khalidi was taken to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering the brain hemorrhage. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23 p.m. local time Friday, Oct. 2.
He had traveled to London shortly before his death. His colleagues said he became ill Thursday night and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Khalidi was widely known for his role in the development of online journalism in Bangladesh, particularly through bdnews24.com, one of the country’s pioneering internet-based news organizations.
He studied in the Department of English at the University of Dhaka and built a career spanning print, broadcast and digital journalism.
Before leading bdnews24.com, Khalidi worked for several Bangladeshi newspapers, including The Daily Star. He also worked at the BBC in London as a presenter, producer and editor.
Over the course of his journalism career, he covered politics, business, economics, development and foreign affairs, while later becoming closely involved in editorial leadership and media management.
Khalidi led bdnews24.com as its publisher and editor-in-chief for nearly two decades, playing a central role in establishing the outlet as a major digital news platform at a time when online journalism was still developing in Bangladesh.
His work also received national recognition. In December 2017, Khalidi received the National ICT Award in the “Special Recognition and Honour” category for his contribution to the development of Digital Bangladesh.
News of his death prompted condolences from journalists, media professionals and public figures.
His death brings to an end a journalism career that accompanied a major transformation of Bangladesh’s news industry—from a media landscape dominated by newspapers and broadcast outlets to one in which digital platforms became a central source of breaking news and information.
Details regarding the return of his body to Bangladesh, funeral prayers and burial were not immediately announced.
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