Israeli Forces Target Journalists and Farmers During West Bank Olive Harvest
October 18, 2025
Two Journalists Detained After Reporting on Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari
October 18, 2025
October 18, 2025 – Bangladesh –
A concerning incident targeting press freedom unfolded on the night of Friday, 18 October 2025, when multimedia reporter Al Amin, working for the Bangladeshi daily Kaler Kantho, was assaulted while covering a police raid in real time. According to witness accounts, the raid took place at the Javan Residential Hotel in Tongi, Gazipur, following reports of illegal activities at the location.
During the live broadcast of the operation, unidentified individuals allegedly rushed the reporter, knocked his phone from his hands, and forcibly cut the livestream. Immediately afterward, Al Amin was beaten and dragged toward the hotel. Fellow journalists on the scene intervened, pulling him to safety and escorting him to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital for medical attention. He received treatment and was later discharged to continue recovery at home.
The assault raises serious questions regarding the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, particularly those covering law enforcement operations or reporting from volatile locations. Al Amin alleged that a patrol vehicle from the Tongi East Police Station briefly stopped near the scene but left without intervening—a detail that underscores concerns about insufficient protection and accountability for press professionals under threat.
Local authorities confirmed they are investigating the matter. Station Officer-in-Charge Md Wahiduzzaman of Tongi East Police Station acknowledged awareness of the incident and said that initial statements have been taken. However, details on suspect identification or arrests remain unverified at this time.
Press freedom advocates emphasize that targeting a journalist during a live broadcast is particularly alarming, as it not only endangers the individual but also seeks to silence coverage in real time. Given Bangladesh’s increasingly fraught environment for media workers—in which harassment, assault, and impunity are documented—this case has triggered calls for swift justice, improved protections for reporters, and enforcement of accountability mechanisms.
reference –
