Reporters Without Borders (RSF) (Reporters Sans Frontiers) has called on the Bangladesh government to take immediate action against the alarming surge in attacks on journalists across the country. In its latest report, RSF highlights a disturbing rise in violent incidents targeting media professionals since early February, many of which involve police officers, political activists, and private citizens.
One particularly concerning incident occurred when hundreds of textile factory workers, angered by a critical article, attempted to storm the Chattogram Pratidin newspaper’s office. The altercation was only defused after the management agreed to publish a right of reply. The Chattogram Press Club and the Chittagong Union of Journalists condemned the attack, emphasizing the growing climate of hostility toward journalists.
In another shocking case in Shariatpur, a correspondent was brutally attacked with a hammer and knife by associates of a clinic owner, following his report on medical negligence. Three other journalists were injured while trying to help. The reporter had reportedly received death threats just a day before the assault. These incidents underscore the dangerous conditions journalists face while doing their job in Bangladesh.
Despite constitutional protections under Article 39, which guarantees freedom of thought and expression, Bangladesh has seen its press freedom ranking drop significantly in recent years. According to the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, the country now ranks 165th out of 180 nations, a decline of two spots from the previous year. International bodies such as the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Association (BHRJA) have also condemned the ongoing violations, calling on the government to protect press freedoms.
In January 2024, RSF had already criticized the lack of safeguards for journalists during the elections, and despite hopes raised by the formation of an interim government following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, journalists continue to face serious risks. RSF’s South Asia Desk has labeled the recent wave of attacks a “worrying surge in violence against the media,” urging authorities to prosecute the perpetrators and take stronger measures to ensure the safety of journalists in Bangladesh.
The call for accountability and protection for journalists is becoming more urgent as these attacks continue to undermine the fundamental right to press freedom in the country.
