Last Updated on June 4, 2026 12:19 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government to take concrete steps to improve press freedom in Bangladesh, saying journalists continue to face detention, prosecution, surveillance, attacks and intimidation despite political changes.
In a statement issued on Monday, as the BNP-led government completed 100 days in office, CPJ said Bangladesh has had three governments in less than two years — the Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, and the current BNP government, which took office in February 2026.
CPJ said journalists faced repression under each administration, often due to their perceived links with the government that had recently lost power. It also referred to a Daily Star report alleging that police were conducting background checks and profiling journalists across the country.
CPJ Asia-Pacific Programme Coordinator Kunal Majumder said every political transition in Bangladesh had seen laws and institutions used against journalists believed to support former governments. He said the current government had promised a different approach, but meaningful progress remained limited after 100 days.
Kunal Majumder urged the government to release jailed journalists, withdraw politically motivated cases, end political retaliation against the press, protect journalists from mob violence, stop smear campaigns and reform repressive laws.
CPJ issued 10 recommendations, including ending the use of the criminal justice system against journalists. It said dozens of journalists viewed as favourable to the Hasina government had been detained or charged since August 2024, often through FIRs naming hundreds of people or unidentified accused.
It cited the cases of Ekattor TV journalists Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed and Mozammel Babu, and Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, who have remained detained since August or September 2024. CPJ said Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed were granted bail in most cases on May 11, but remain in custody due to other pending cases.
CPJ also mentioned a May 28 meeting where the Editors’ Council submitted a list of 282 journalists facing what it called politically motivated cases. It said Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon later stated that the prime minister had expressed solidarity with the council and ordered necessary steps. CPJ said this acknowledgement must be followed by action.
The group raised concern over the use of the International Crimes Tribunal against journalists, saying at least 25 journalists are under ICT investigation, including over allegations of genocide or crimes against humanity linked to coverage during the Hasina era. It cited Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu’s cases over reporting on the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar.
CPJ said the tribunal must not be used to punish journalism and called for an independent review of all ICT cases involving journalists.
The organisation also cited attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices during unrest in December 2025, when the offices were set on fire, journalists were temporarily trapped inside and both newspapers suspended print and online publication. It also mentioned incidents involving Somoy TV and reporters covering protests.
According to CPJ, it documented at least 10 incidents of violence and harassment against journalists covering political events in 2025, mostly involving BNP members or affiliates and its student wing, Chhatra Dal. It urged the government to condemn attacks and ensure accountability regardless of political affiliation.
CPJ also called for reforms to the Cyber Protection Act, 2026, Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, Special Powers Act, 1974, and Official Secrets Act, 1923. It cited the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act in December 2025 and Rozina Islam under the Official Secrets Act in 2021.
It urged the government not to adopt the draft National Broadcast Commission Ordinance and National Media Commission Ordinance in their current forms, and instead implement recommendations of the Media Reform Commission.
CPJ also sought reforms to the accreditation system after the Press Information Department revoked accreditation of 168 journalists following Hasina’s departure in 2024. It also called for safeguards against SLAPP cases and strong protections for journalism in any future data protection framework.
In its final recommendation, CPJ urged an end to vilification of journalists, saying they are often labelled “pro-India”, “anti-Islam”, “traitors” or agents of former governments. It said such rhetoric threatens journalists’ safety and urged the government to ensure no state institution is used to smear journalists or question their loyalty to Bangladesh or Islam.