At least 162 journalists in Bangladesh faced attacks, threats, harassment and legal action across 112 incidents over three months, with August recording the highest number of cases, according to a Media Initiative for Development monitoring report.
At least 162 journalists in Bangladesh faced attacks, threats, harassment and legal harassment in 112 separate incidents over a three-month period while carrying out their professional duties, according to a monitoring report by the Dhaka-based Media Initiative for Development (MID), as reported by local media.
The report, released by MID on Friday, highlighted a series of incidents raising concerns over the safety of journalists and the broader environment for press freedom in Bangladesh. August emerged as the most serious month during the period, recording the highest number of journalists affected and a significant number of incidents involving physical attacks and other forms of intimidation.
According to the report, 39 incidents were recorded in July, affecting 50 journalists across different parts of the country. The number increased in August, when 44 incidents affected 67 journalists. The report said this represented a 12.8 per cent increase in incidents compared with the previous month. In September, 29 incidents involving harassment and violence affected 45 journalists, according to figures reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
The MID findings showed that physical attacks and death threats were among the most common forms of intimidation during the three-month period. In July, death threats accounted for 48.7 per cent of reported incidents, while physical attacks represented 28.2 per cent.
The report also documented several serious forms of pressure against journalists, including shootings, attacks on journalists’ homes and offices, the filing of legal cases and abductions. Physical attacks reached their highest proportion in August, accounting for 63.6 per cent of incidents recorded during that month. In September, physical attacks and threats each accounted for 37.9 per cent of reported incidents.
Journalists working for print media were particularly affected, with field reporters and journalists working outside major urban centres among those facing incidents, according to the MID report. Of the 162 journalists identified as affected during the three-month period, 89 worked for daily newspapers, 53 were associated with television channels and 20 worked for online news organisations.
The incidents were reported across more than 30 districts of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Chittagong, Sirajganj, Barisal and Sylhet divisions recorded comparatively higher numbers of attacks and harassment, highlighting that incidents were not limited to the country’s capital or major media centres.
The MID also expressed concern over what it described as a lack of substantial legal action following attacks and threats against journalists. The organisation called for stronger measures to ensure journalist safety and accountability in cases involving violence and intimidation.
“Violence against journalists is a direct attack on press freedom and people’s right to information,” Dhaka Tribune quoted MID Executive Director Rashedul Hasan as saying. He called on the government to ensure journalists’ safety through impartial and swift investigations into every reported incident and to take action against those found responsible.
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The MID report comes amid continuing concerns over the working conditions of journalists in Bangladesh. The figures covering July, August and September indicate that journalists faced a range of risks while performing professional duties, including physical violence, threats, legal cases and attacks on workplaces and residences.
The report’s findings underline the importance of journalist safety, independent investigations and accountability in addressing attacks and threats against members of the media. The data also highlights the risks faced by reporters working outside major cities and those covering events directly in the field.
