Author: Tuhin Sarwar
Institution: The Today Media Agency
Date: january 12, 2025
This study investigates the escalating crisis of journalism in Bangladesh between 2018 and 2025, highlighting the cumulative effects of violence, legal harassment, economic instability, and self-censorship. Drawing upon data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Article 19, Deutsche Welle (DW), and local news outlets such as Prothom Alo and Jugantor, the research reveals that journalists face unprecedented threats regardless of government transition—from the ruling Awami League (2018–2024) to the caretaker/“interim” government (August 2024–2025). Key findings include at least five journalist killings, over 250 injuries, more than 180 lawsuits, 150+ job losses, and 70% of journalists admitting to self-censorship. Case studies illustrate that attacks range from mob violence during protests to politically motivated legal actions, often leaving journalists vulnerable to both physical and economic harm. The study underscores the structural role of laws like the Digital Security Act (DSA) and the Cyber Security Act (CSA) in facilitating suppression, as well as the political concentration of media ownership that constrains editorial independence. The paper concludes that the safety and autonomy of journalists are inextricably linked to democratic accountability, citizen access to information, and international perceptions of Bangladesh. Policy recommendations include establishing an independent commission for journalist protection, legal reforms, economic safeguards, and international oversight.
Keywords: Bangladesh, journalists, press freedom, Digital Security Act, censorship, democracy, violence, self-censorship
Journalism has long been a cornerstone of democratic governance, acting as both a watchdog and a conduit for public information. In Bangladesh, however, the profession has been historically precarious. From the post-liberation period to the present day, journalists have faced an intricate web of threats—including physical violence, legal harassment, and political pressures—that compromise both personal safety and editorial independence.
The period from 2018 to 2025 marks a critical era in the evolution of media suppression in Bangladesh. The enactment of the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2018 and subsequent Cyber Security Act (CSA) created legal frameworks often exploited to intimidate journalists, curtail investigative reporting, and enforce self-censorship. According to Article 19 (2025), these laws were applied in 736 cases between 2018 and 2023, 135 of which were directly against journalists. The Awami League government (2018–2024) saw a consistent pattern of lawsuits, arrests, and politically motivated attacks, while the transition to the caretaker/interim government in August 2024 did little to alleviate the situation. Between October 2024 and March 2025, the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) reported that 640 journalists were targeted through legal harassment, threats, or professional retaliation.
The cumulative impact on journalists is multidimensional:
Physical risks: documented killings and injuries during field reporting or protest coverage.
Legal risks: lawsuits under vaguely defined provisions, including politically influenced mass cases such as the Moulvibazar incident naming 99 journalists.
Economic risks: job loss, salary delays, and dismissal of media executives, undermining financial stability.
Psychological and professional risks: 70% of journalists admitted to self-censorship to avoid retaliation (DW, 2025).
This study aims to provide a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of these structural challenges, highlighting the implications for democratic accountability and freedom of information. By integrating secondary data, case studies, and quantitative statistics, the research investigates the following key questions:
How has journalist suppression evolved across different governments from 2018 to 2025?
What are the primary mechanisms—legal, economic, political—through which journalists face threats?
How do physical attacks, lawsuits, and self-censorship interact to shape the media landscape?
What policy interventions are needed to safeguard journalism and democratic processes in Bangladesh?
The significance of this research extends beyond Bangladesh. In an era of rising global concern about press freedom, understanding the structural and political pressures on journalists in a populous South Asian democracy provides insights for international media monitoring organizations, policymakers, and human rights advocates.
By examining historical trends, statistical data, and field-based realities, this study contributes to both the academic literature and practical policy debates on press freedom, democratic resilience, and human rights protection in South Asia.
Article Insight | Investigative & Analytical Journalism – Tuhin Sarwar