Tunisian Press Freedom Under Threat as Court Upholds Conviction of Journalist Walid Al‑Majri
August 26, 2024
The Security Adviser Who Dedicated His Life to Protecting Journalists
August 27, 2024
August 27, 2024 – Bangladesh –
Prominent Bangladeshi journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa, formerly with Ekattor TV, were detained at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The couple, traveling with their young daughter on August 21, were arrested while attempting to fly to Istanbul. Police held them after questioning for two hours regarding allegations of inciting violence linked to a student-led demonstration that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reportedly caused around 100 deaths on August 5, 2024.
On August 22, they appeared before a Dhaka magistrate and were placed on four days of police remand. Prosecutors accused them under Sections 302 (murder), 114 (abetment), and 109 (abetment of offence) in the death of garment worker Fazul Karim during the unrest. A second remand was granted on August 26 concerning the alleged killing of another worker, Rubel.
These arrests occurred against a backdrop of escalating threats to journalists in Bangladesh. Since the student protests began in July, the country has seen increasing hostility toward media personnel, including five journalist fatalities. The IFJ and its local affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), denounced the detentions, calling for transparent and fair investigations. They urged authorities to protect the couple from reprisals targeting their journalism.
According to Shakil’s Wikipedia entry, both he and Rupa have faced serious legal charges in connection to violence during the protests. Their case has drawn criticism from major global press freedom organizations—including CPJ, RSF, BJIM, and The Editors’ Council—who view the move as part of a broader crackdown on the media.
Their predicament mirrors wider concerns in Bangladesh, where interim governance under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has coincided with an uptick in press repression. Incidents such as revocation of journalist accreditations and targeted harassment incidents have compounded fears that press freedom is under severe strain.
As of mid-2025, the case remains unresolved, highlighting the precarious balance between legitimate criminal investigation and the risk of suppressing critical journalism through politically charged legal actions.
Reference –
