Aurangzeb Kamal:- There has been a sharp increase in the persecution of journalists in the country. It has been reported that mobs are being formed to harass journalists. Political leaders, businessmen, some corrupt officials, and certain miscreants from the administration are allegedly harassing journalists without cause, according to victimized journalists. Fearless journalists face lawsuits, attacks, and even murder on a daily basis. Yet, no justice is served, nor are any protective measures taken by the authorities.

Although the rate of independent journalism has multiplied several times after the 2013 mass uprising, harassment and arrests through false cases have not decreased. Many say these are mere photocopies of previous governments’ tactics. According to reports published by various organizations and media outlets, journalists are subjected to various forms of persecution, including physical attacks, lawsuits, threats, harassment, and even murder.

Particularly during previous governments, mobs were created using photos with political leaders to harass and torture journalists, and such incidents continue every day. Moreover, investigative reporters face the brunt of such attacks more often. They face multiple obstacles and suffer harassment when publishing news against influential corrupt persons and terrorists.

Recently, violence and insecurity against journalists have alarmingly increased. Data from different organizations show that from January to July this year, 274 attack incidents caused injuries to 126 journalists. Furthermore, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reported that 496 journalists were harassed between August 2024 and July 2025. Another private report indicates that in seven months, 274 journalists were injured during professional duties due to attacks, while 165 incidents caused injuries to 95 journalists. Approximately 9 journalists were killed.

This growing pattern of journalist persecution is deeply concerning. It disrupts journalists’ work environment and obstructs the path to truth. Additionally, due to a culture of impunity, criminals go unpunished, which further fuels attacks on journalists. Investigations reveal that journalists face obstacles at every step when exposing the truth. Terrorists frequently threaten their lives. Even when journalists expose corruption among police officers or government officials, attacks increase, and sometimes journalists are summoned for interrogation. If they do not comply with terrorists’ demands, brutal murders occur.

According to police and relatives, on October 10 last year, Tanzeel Jahan Tamim, a broadcast officer at Dipto TV, was beaten to death in his home by miscreants. On October 12, Swapon Kumar Bhadra, vice-president of Tarakanda Press Club in Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, was stabbed to death in front of his house. On August 27, Rahnuma Sarah’s body was recovered from Hatirjheel by police and locals. Investigations show that political leaders, mayors, brick kiln owners, and unknown phone callers have threatened journalists with death. Journalists also receive threats from Union Parishad and Upazila chairmen, university and college students, and ward councilors on a daily basis. Journalists have been victims of torture, abduction, and bomb attacks by terrorists while performing their professional duties for a long time. Some members of law enforcement agencies also contribute to their harassment and threats.

I believe journalism and the entire media world today face a horrifying reality. The job of journalists is to reveal the truth, present information for public interest, and raise their voice against injustice. But when truth-tellers’ voices are stained with blood, the moral foundation of the entire state system is questioned. Not only journalists, but ordinary people are also unsafe now. Protests against corruption are met with murder, enforced disappearances happen if extortion demands are unmet, and filing cases against expressing opinions online have become the new normal.

A journalist must attend all political meetings. Naturally, they will have photos with many leaders. However, many political leaders, workers, and some self-interested journalists are using these photos to brand others as political leaders overnight and create mobs to harass them. The administration does not verify these claims and hastily takes legal action and arrests people. As a result, the country’s legal framework, administrative responses, and social roles have all come under question.

My question is, whose responsibility is it to ensure the safety of journalists and ordinary citizens? Certainly the government’s. Then why is such a situation arising? This government was formed based on the consent of the people. So, what is the government afraid of? The culture of impunity and neglect of state responsibility are glaring problems. The question remains: Is telling the truth a sin in this country? How much more blood must be shed before we get security assurances? These are not only my words but those of the general public.

Perhaps someone hurt by this report may object, but for the country’s sake and the sake of journalism, these harsh truths must be told. Recently, the killing of a journalist in Gazipur has added a new dimension to this history of persecution. He exposed extortionists’ names on live TV in the afternoon. Before the news could even be published in print, he was murdered by slitting his throat at night. This was not just a murder but a message to intimidate other journalists from showing courage. The way this murder was committed was designed to spread fear. This incident clearly shows how organized and confident the criminals are, willing to carry out public murders in response to protest. This is happening across the country, but nobody dares to speak out for fear.

This is a severe failure of law enforcement. Although some perpetrators have been arrested in the case of journalist Tuhin’s murder, most of the organized gang remains beyond reach. The alarming fact is that in many such murders, the main perpetrators remain untouched, or even if arrested, influential criminals are released on bail and return under the protection of power. Examples abound, such as the murder of Sagar Runi, which everyone knows. Now the situation is such that speaking against criminals risks harassment or even one’s life.

These incidents terrorize not only journalists but the whole society. Such cases silence the protesting voices of society. Not only journalists but ordinary people are suffering from insecurity, which is commonly reported. Refusal to pay extortion leads to businessmen being killed, political disputes cause housewives to be murdered, and pedestrians fall victim to robberies daily. Law and order has deteriorated to the point that people fear going to the police, filing cases, or protesting. In the first six months of 2025 alone, over 2,700 ordinary citizens were murdered. These numbers are not just statistics — behind each name lies a family and a shattered dream.

Political violence, terrorism, administrative weaknesses, and impunity are the main causes behind this. People are helpless. They are forced to take their own safety into their hands, eroding trust and humanity in society. The faith citizens should have in the state is fading day by day. When citizens lose faith, the state becomes morally bankrupt.

Freedom of expression has also shrunk in educational institutions. Students are expelled, threatened, and mistreated, disrupting the educational environment in government and non-government institutions alike. This poses a threat to democratic values. Currently, media and journalists continue to face pressure and harassment. Cases are filed, arrests made, newspapers shut down, advertisement threats given, and cyber harassment occurs. These show that the government is still not sufficiently sensitive about media freedom, according to many experts.

My request to the government is to stop extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, ensure the security of minorities and women, protect freedom of the press and expression, and take effective action to establish accountability for every human rights violation. Multiple journalists, speaking anonymously, say they are harassed daily. As journalists, they have attended events of previous governments or political parties, unknowingly photographed with many, but those pictures have become a curse for them now. Although they are not listed in any committee, they constantly receive threats of arrest. Currently, they are in extreme trouble. Another journalist said that although he was involved with BNP politics, they still faced harassment in many ways.

In this situation, government accountability and political will have become starkly deficient. After every journalist’s murder, the government issues condolence messages and announces inquiry committees. But these appear to be mere routine processes with almost no results. Committees either do not submit reports or keep them undisclosed. Even if criminals are caught, influential ones get bail and return under political protection. The lack of political will is the main problem here. The ruling party thinks prosecuting influential criminals might upset the political balance. Therefore, investigations start with much fanfare but end in silence.

This scenario undermines not only journalists but also public trust. People realize the state will not protect them and may silently support criminals. Today, protesting extortion can lead to murder, tomorrow exposing road corruption can bring death — fear has spread so widely that people are becoming silent gradually. This silence eventually becomes a normal reaction, which previous governments have painfully felt.

When people lose the courage to protest injustice, it is the greatest danger for a nation. Because fear and silence together create a culture of darkness where criminals become law-makers. As long as this culture continues, oppressors grow stronger, and ordinary people become their slaves.

Divided media and weak protests have contributed to the rise in journalist persecution. Bangladesh’s media is now deeply politically polarized. When a journalist is killed, instead of uniting in protest, some media outlets remain silent, prioritizing partisan interests. This breaks the unity of the journalist community and weakens protest power. The greatest strength of independent media is unity. Currently, journalists lack this unity. One journalist often acts as the enemy of another. One media house openly opposes another. As a result, attacks on journalists are increasing.

I believe journalists should be brought under a specific code of conduct. A journalist protection law should be enacted, ensuring their safety, salaries, compensation, and state protection against threats. Cases of journalist murder or persecution should be fast-tracked in special tribunals with verdicts announced within six months. Freedom of information must be guaranteed. Misuse of laws like the Digital Security Act should be stopped to allow journalists to work freely. Political will must be shown. The ruling party must prove that no matter who the criminal is, justice will be done.

A unified movement of journalists must be built for each incident of attack. An apolitical platform should be created for professional safety, and every incident must be protested strongly. Public opinion and street protests against journalist persecution must be raised to compel the state to take measures.

Writer and Researcher:
Aurangzeb Kamal
President, Dhaka Press Club