Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a report on Friday detailing a surge in violent attacks on journalists in Bangladesh, urging the country’s government to take action.
The report denounces the widespread attacks on journalists that have escalated since the beginning of February, highlighting systematic violations of the constitutional rights of media professionals that have been brought to light by a number of incidents, including the storming of newsrooms and beatings with batons and hammers, which have been committed by political activists and police officers, as well as private citizens.
In one incident the report covered, hundreds of self-identified textile factory workers made an attempt to take over the Chattogram Pratidin newspaper’s offices in Chattogram. It was reported that an article criticizing the factory started the altercation. The situation was defused only after the newspaper’s management consented to publish a right of reply. The Chattogram Press Club and Chittagong Union of Journalists also strongly condemned the attack.
In a separate incident in Shariatpur, a correspondent was attacked with a hammer and knife by associates of a clinic owner following his report on medical negligence. Three other journalists were also injured in an attempt to help the correspondent, who had also received death threats a day before.
Even though Article 39 of the Bangladesh Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and expression, in 2024, Bangladesh ranked 165 out of 180 on the RSF’s Press Freedom Index, dropping two places since 2023. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), along with its affiliate, the Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Association (BHRJA), also released a report condemning the numerous violations of media rights and urged the interim government to respect its new democracy and take action to safeguard press freedom.
RSF had previously condemned Bangladesh in January 2024 for not implementing adequate safeguards to protect Bangladeshi journalists during elections. Although former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s August 2024 ousting and the rise of a new interim government raised hope, journalists continue to encounter serious safety risks while performing their duties. RSF’s South Asia Desk has emphasized the recent attacks represent a “worrying surge in violence against the media,” thereby urging authorities to prosecute those responsible for the attacks and ensure the safety of journalists.
