Editor’s note: In an ongoing series, INMA is profiling our most engaged members — our super fans. At a time when we have less face-to-face time, we hope this gives members a chance to learn more about each other. Today we profile Q M Ashfaq Ali, manager, digital technology for The Daily Prothom Alo in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

As manager, digital technology for The Daily Prothom Alo in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Q M Ashfaq Ali is proud to be part of this distinguished company. Prothom Alo is the largest media house in Bangladesh and prothomalo.com is the world’s most-visited Bengali Web site.

Of all its accomplishments, Ali is most excited about the special Web site the company developed containing detailed information about the Bangladesh national parliament election in 2018. “I’m always thinking about its technological challenges, how to reach people easily and improve their experience,” he said.

When he wants to take a break from tech, Ali loves to cook his favourite dishes and read about the histories, cultures, and languages of South Asian countries.

INMA recently caught up with him to learn more about what’s happening in his life.

INMA: What big lesson have you learned over the past couple of years that helped shape your plans for 2022?

Ali: You need to get the right people and build the team. As a leader, you must have trust in them and gain faith from the team also.

INMA: If you had your career to do over again, what would you want to know in the beginning?

Ali: New technology! Actually, life teaches us everything in different ways, in different time frames.

INMA: What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning?

Ali: Every day is like a new life to me, and I get a chance to finish my undone work.

INMA: What is the craziest job or project you’ve ever done in media — and what did you learn from it?

Ali: For me, it’s hard to teach technology to non-tech persons, especially journalists who are not familiar with modern Web technologies. But it is always fun for me to work with them. 

INMA: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

Ali: Don’t hesitate to express yourself if you think you are not wrong.

INMA: If you hadn’t gone into news media, what was your back-up plan?

Ali: I always wanted to become a software/Web developer. So, if I was not in news media, I may be in a software firm doing the same thing.

INMA: What is your favourite thing to read?

Ali: Histories, cultures, and languages of South Asian countries.

INMA: What do you find the most challenging/interesting about the news media industry right now?

Ali: Technology and Artificial Intelligence. It can replace humans.

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