Journalist Attacks in Bangladesh Surge by 230 Percent Under Interim Government
August 4, 2025
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The article reports a troubling escalation in violence against journalists over the past year. According to data from the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), from August 2024 to July 2025, 496 journalists were subjected to harassment. This includes online threats, physical intimidation, and legal pressure designed to curtail press freedom and suppress independent reporting.
This surge in threats and harassment reflects a deepening crisis for journalists operating in a hostile environment. The range of abuses—spanning verbal intimidation, cyberbullying, and punitive legal actions—serves to compromise journalists’ ability to report freely and safely. The article underscores how these tactics are being used systematically to coerce media professionals into self-censorship or forced silence.
The gravity of the situation is further compounded by related coverage in the Daily Sun, which underscores the deteriorating conditions for media workers nationwide. A separate piece highlights that Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) documented 196 incidents of violence, lawsuits, and persecution against journalists in just the first half of 2025—pointing to a notable intensification compared to prior periods.
The article shares broader context about unconventional threats targeting journalists, including mob lynchings, misinformation campaigns, and state or non-state actors’ intimidation. An alarming rise in mob lynching deaths in Bangladesh—with journalists also at risk—illustrates the precariousness of reporting from volatile environments. The broader trend signals that journalists are not only vulnerable to organized legal or digital harassment but also to direct physical violence in increasingly lawless circumstances.
Altogether, the article paints a stark picture: the press is under siege. Nearly 500 incidents in one year constitute a glaring indication that journalists in Bangladesh face intensifying dangers. These attacks threaten not just individual journalists but the very essence of journalistic independence and public access to reliable information. The article serves as a call for urgent protective measures to safeguard press freedom and the safety of those who risk their lives to report truthfully.
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