Under the former government, the media landscape was diverse and growing, but journalists were subjected to intimidation and arbitrary arrests, and many resorted to self-censorship.931 Furthermore, as reported by Freedom House, ‘attacks on media workers were enabled by a climate of impunity’932 and other sources indicated that journalists and media outlets criticising the then government were targeted by it as well as by its supporters.933 Journalists had criminal cases launched against them under repressive laws such as the 2018 Digital Security Act (DSA),934 and later the 2023 CSA935 – that have been replaced with the 2025 Cyber Security Ordinance936 as outlined above. In May 2025, the head of the Media Reform Commission however criticised the ‘growing climate of fear and self-censorship in the media, fuelled by threats on social media and orchestrated ‘mob violence’ stating that while the government is supposed to ‘strictly control’ such behaviour, ‘little progress is evident’.937
During the protests in July–August 2024, journalists were targeted by police, ruling party supporters and protesters.938 In the period 15 July–5 August 2024, at least six journalists were killed and 200 were injured, according to UN OHCHR.939 According to Amnesty International, female journalists stated that they were targeted by the police, groups affiliated with the Awami League, and protesters for their coverage of July-August 2024 protests.940After the interim government assumed power in August 2024, sources reported on continued attacks against journalists941 by police,942 BNP supporters,943 and mobs.944
On 7 October 2024, the interim government formed an eight-member committee to monitor harassment cases against journalists.945 On 18 November 2024, the interim government announced the formation of the 11-member Media Reform Commission, with a senior journalist as its chief.946 The Commission submitted its report to the interim government in late March 2025,947 with recommendations to improve the quality of journalism and its independence, including by a minimum starting salary for journalists and restrictions on media ownership.948
Between late October 2024 and early November 2024, the interim government’s Press Information Department revoked the credentials of 167 journalists.949 The revocation was criticised by press groups,950 including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that stated that it ’encourages self-censorship’ and is ‘incomprehensible.’951 In April 2025, three TV journalists were terminated from their respective media organisations952 due to alleged lack of professionalism while interviewing a government official, as stated by Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM), who implied that the dismissals were retributive.953
Sources reported on journalists perceived as supportive of the former prime minister being arrested in criminal cases.954 In August 2024, over 24 journalists were charged with crimes against humanity for the death of a protester in July 2024.955 In September 2024, a case was filed by a private citizen against 28 journalists from Chattogram for allegedly attempted abduction, assault, and publishing ‘fake news’ during the student protests.956 In November 2024, RSF reported on nearly 140 journalists accused of allegedly killing protesters which RSF described as ‘[e]xtremely grave but baseless accusations.’957 In April 2025, BJIM expressed concern over Dhaka Metropolitan Police issuing a summon letter to a journalist who was investigating police corruption.958
In 2024, local human rights organisation ASK recorded 531 cases of harassment of journalists959 with the majority of cases taking place in July–September.960 In January–June 2025, ASK recorded 196 cases,961 in contrast to the same period the previous year when 145 cases were recorded by the organisation.962 In February 2025, human rights organisations including BJIM, IFJ, RSF, and CPJ reported on the rise in violence against journalists since the beginning of the month.963 In March 2025, local sources reported on a gang-rape of a female journalist.964 Article 19 referred to the attack as characterising of a general increase in violence against women and girls in Bangladesh.965 More information on women and girls is available in section 8.4. Women and girls.
- 931
EEAS, EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World, 2023 Country Updates, 29 May 2024, url, p. 176
- 932
Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025: Bangladesh, 2025, url
- 933
HRW, Bangladesh: End Crackdown Against Journalists and Critics, 3 May 2023, url; AI, Bangladesh: Press freedom under attack with largest daily newspaper declared an 'enemy' by the Government, 14 April 2023, url
- 934
Dhaka Tribune, Paris-based Bangladeshi writer Pinaki Bhattacharya sued under DSA, 17 November 2022, url; UN OHCHR, Bangladesh: Türk urges immediate suspension of Digital Security Act as media crackdown continues, 31 March 2023, url;
- 935
CGS, From Digital to Cyber Security Act: Thoughts of the Politicians, 1 March 2024, url
- 936
BSS, Govt issues gazette of Cyber Security Ordinance, 22 May 2025, url; Daily Star (The), Cyber security laws in Bangladesh: The ties that bind our past and present, 11 June 2025, url
- 937
Daily Star (The), Media reform chief decries attacks on journalists, 4 May 2025, url
- 938
CIVICUS, Bangladesh: Brutal crackdown on quota reform protesters by security forces and ruling party youth wing, 25 July 2024, url; CPJ, CPJ urges Bangladesh to protect journalists as protests oust PM, 5 August 2024, url; RSF, Political crisis in Bangladesh: RSF calls on the interim government to protect journalists, 9 August 2024, url; UN OHCHR, Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh, 12 February 2025, url, pp. 48-49
- 939
UN OHCHR, Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh, 12 February 2025, url, p. 48
- 940
AI, The State of the World’s Human Rights: April 2025, 28 April 2025, url, p. 92
- 941
IFJ, Bangladesh: Attacks on journalists continue amid ongoing violence, 22 November 2024, url; ICFJ, ijnet, Amid power reshuffle in Bangladesh, journalists remain under attack, 14 April 2025, url
- 942
BJIM, BJIM condemns police attack on photojournalist in Dhaka, 17 January 2025, url; Daily Star (The), BJIM condemns police brutality on 5 journos, 10 February 2025, url
- 943
New Age, 3 journalists injured by BNP activists at SC, 6 February 2025, url; New Age, Journalist beaten by BNP leader in Thakurgaon, 27 February 2025, url; Daily Star (The), Thakurgaon BNP expels leader for assaulting journo, 26 February 2025, url; Daily Star (The), BNP leader sued for assaulting journalist in Thakurgaon, 26 February 2025,url
- 944
New Age, Four journalists injured in attack for publishing news, 3 February 2025, url; Bdnews24.com, Media self-censoring amid mob violence, intimidation, says Kamal Ahmed, 17 May 2025, url
- 945
Daily Star (The), Govt forms committee to monitor harassment cases against journos, 7 October 2024, url; Bdnews24.com, Information ministry forms 8-strong panel to monitor ‘harassment cases’ against journalists, 8 October 2024, url
- 946
Daily Star (The), Govt forms 11-member media reform commission, 18 November 2024, url; Business Standard (The), 11-member mass media reform commission formed, 18 November 2024, url
- 947
Business Standard (The), Media Reform Commission's recommendations to be implemented for journalists' benefit: Adviser Mahfuj, 22 March 2025, url; Business Standard (The), Media Reform Commission submits report to chief adviser, 22 March 2025, url
- 948
Business Standard (The), Media Reform Recommendations: Better pay and ownership control sound good on paper. But how do you implement it?, 26 March 2025, url
- 949
AP, Rights groups condemn Bangladesh for canceling accreditation of 167 journalists, 13 November 2024, url
- 950
Business Standard (The), In Bangladesh 2.0, state of journalism remains far from ideal, 3 May 2025, url; JMBF, JMBF Strongly Condemns the Recent Cancellation of Press Accreditation Cards for 167 Journalists by the Interim Government of Bangladesh, 10 November 2024, url; Women Press Freedom, Bangladesh: Revoking Press Accreditations of Bangladeshi Journalists is an Attack on Press Freedom,7 November 2024, url
- 951
Business Standard (The), In Bangladesh 2.0, state of journalism remains far from ideal, 3 May 2025, url
- 952
BJIM, BJIM expresses deep concern over TV journalists 'dismissals',29 April 2025, url; Business Standard (The), Govt had no role in wrongful termination of 3 journos: CA Deputy Press Secy, 2 May 2025, url
- 953
BJIM, BJIM expresses deep concern over TV journalists 'dismissals',29 April 2025, url
- 954
DW, Bangladesh: Journalists supportive of ex-PM Hasina targeted, 14 October 2024, url; CPJ, Journalists supportive of ousted Bangladesh leader targeted with arrest, criminal cases, 19 September 2024, url
- 955
Daily Star (The), Crimes against humanity: Hasina, over two dozen journos sued in ICT case, 29 August 2024, url; RSF, Bangladesh: RSF condemns the outrageous charges of crimes against humanity brought against at least 25 journalists, 30 August 2024, url
- 956
Daily Star (The), 109 including ex-info minister, 28 journos sued, 4 September 2024, url
- 957
RSF, More press freedom violations in Bangladesh although panel created to monitor harassment of journalists,12 November 2024, url
- 958
BJIM, BJIM condemns police summoning journalist over corruption report, 21 April 2025, url
- 959
ASK, Journalist Harassment (Jan-Dec 2024), 31 December 2024, url
- 960
ASK, Statistics Monthly 2024, n.d., url
- 961
ASK, Journalist Harassment (Jan-June 2025), 10 July 2025, url
- 962
ASK, Journalist Harassment (Jan-June 2024), 8 July 2024, url
- 963
BJIM, BJIM Condemns Armed Attacks on Journalists in Bangladesh, 4 February 2025, url; IFJ, Bangladesh: Four assaults on journalists within a week, 11 February 2025, url; RSF, Bangladesh: violent attacks on journalists are surging — the government must take action, 14 February 2025, url; CPJ, Bangladesh journalists face threats from attacks, investigations, and looming cyber laws, 17 February 2025, url
- 964
Bdnews24.com, Journalist ‘gang-raped’ in Dhaka’s Pallabi, 2 arrested, 19 March 2025, url; Dhaka Tribune, Female journalist hospitalized following gang-rape in Pallab, 19 March 2025, url
- 965
Article 19, Bangladesh: Authorities must investigate rape of woman journalist urgently,19 March 2025, url