Comprehensive Data-Driven Analysis of Violence, Censorship, and Democratic Crisis

Bangladesh’s Journalists Under Siege: A Comprehensive Data-Driven Analysis of Violence, Censorship, and Democratic Crisis (2018–2025)
Author: Tuhin Sarwar|

Institution: The Article Inside
Date: January 12, 2025

Abstract
Bangladesh’s journalism faces an unprecedented crisis characterized by physical attacks, legal harassment, economic instability, and pervasive self-censorship. Drawing on RSF, Human Rights Watch, Article 19, Deutsche Welle, and local newspapers (Prothom Alo, Jugantor), this study traces the evolution of these pressures from 2018 to 2025, encompassing the final years of the Awami League government and the early tenure of the caretaker government. Findings reveal that despite political transitions, journalists continue to face systemic threats, indicating structural weaknesses in the legal, political, and economic environment. Without securing journalists’ independence and safety, democratic accountability and public access to reliable information are severely compromised.
Keywords: Bangladesh, journalism, press freedom, censorship, violence, self-censorship, democratic accountability

1. Introduction
Journalism in Bangladesh has always been a profession fraught with risk. During the liberation war, reporters were primary witnesses of atrocities, but post-independence, media freedom has often been curtailed by political pressures and weak institutional safeguards. The enactment of the Digital Security Act (DSA, 2018) and the Cyber Security Act (CSA, 2018) institutionalized legal mechanisms for suppression, enabling lawsuits, arrests, and surveillance of journalists reporting on sensitive issues.
Political Context: Under the Awami League government (2018–2024), journalists faced lawsuits, threats, and physical attacks. With the caretaker government assuming power in August 2024, expectations arose for a revival of press freedom. Yet, early data suggest the systemic pressures remain unchanged, revealing a structural problem rather than a government-specific issue.

Research Objectives:

Analyze trends in journalist killings, harassment, and lawsuits across government periods.
Examine economic pressures and enforced self-censorship.
Evaluate the implications for democratic governance and citizen information rights.
Recommend policy interventions to safeguard press freedom.
Scope: This paper focuses on 2018–2025, providing a comparative, data-driven, and field-verified analysis of the structural challenges confronting Bangladeshi journalists.

2. Literature Review

Extant literature underscores a multi-dimensional crisis in Bangladesh’s media sector:
2.1 Press Freedom Rankings
RSF (2025): Bangladesh ranks 163/176, indicating severe suppression. RSF
Comparative South Asian countries such as India (150) and Nepal (101) rank higher, showing relative regional lag.
2.2 Legal Harassment
HRW (2025): At least 180 cases under DSA/CSA against journalists in 2024–25. HRW
Cases often include vague charges, extended judicial proceedings, and politically motivated prosecutions.
2.3 Harassment and Threats
Article 19 (2025): Documented 496 harassment cases, including physical threats and online abuse. Article 19
Local outlets (Prothom Alo, Jugantor) reported multiple killings of journalists covering sensitive political or environmental stories.
2.4 Self-Censorship
DW (2025): 70% of journalists report altering or withholding stories to avoid retaliation. DW
Gaps: Previous studies highlight suppression but rarely combine quantitative, longitudinal, and field-based analyses linking legal, political, and economic pressures to democratic outcomes. This study addresses these gaps.

3. Methodology
3.1 Research Design
Mixed-methods approach: Combines quantitative and qualitative analyses.
3.2 Data Sources
Secondary Data: RSF, HRW, Article 19, DW, Prothom Alo, Jugantor.
Time Frame: 2018–2025, focusing on both Awami League and caretaker government periods.
3.3 Qualitative Analysis
Case Studies: In-depth profiles of murdered journalists (e.g., Khondakar Shah Alam, 2025, Bagerhat).
Interviews: Anonymized field interviews with 15 journalists documenting self-censorship, threats, and harassment.
3.4 Quantitative Analysis
Indicators: Journalist killings, injuries, lawsuits, economic displacement, forced self-censorship.
Visualization: Tabular and graphical representations of trends over years and across government periods.
3.5 Ethical Considerations
Protection of interviewee identities.
Cross-verification of reported incidents via multiple sources.
4. Findings
4.1 Violence and Killings
2018–2024 (Awami League period): 3 journalists killed, 120+ injured during reporting protests and political events.
2024–2025 (Caretaker government): 2 journalists killed, 130+ injured.
4.2 Legal Harassment
Total lawsuits filed: 180+ between 2024–25.
High-profile example: 99 journalists named in a single case in Moulvibazar.
4.3 Economic Pressure
Job losses: 150+ journalists, including contract terminations and salary freezes.
Executives removed from editorial positions: 24 (NOAB).
4.4 Self-Censorship
70% of journalists report modifying reports to avoid legal and political repercussions.
4.5 Data Table: Journalist Suppression by Government Period
Period
Killed
Injured
Lawsuits
Harassed
Job Losses
Self-Censorship
Awami League (2018–24)
3
120+
120+
280
100+
65%
Caretaker Gov. (2024–25)
2
130+
60+
216
50+
70%
4.6 Field Observations / Case Studies
Multiple journalists reported online threats, physical attacks, and legal notices for environmental and corruption reporting.
Example: A reporter in Chattogram withdrew coverage of illegal sand mining due to threat of arrest under DSA.
5. Analysis
The findings illustrate a structural crisis:
Political Influence
Media ownership dominated by political elites restricts editorial freedom.
Legal Suppression
DSA and CSA serve as instruments of coercion, undermining investigative reporting.
Economic Pressure
Salary delays and terminations force journalists to compromise reporting or leave the profession.
Self-Censorship
Fear of litigation, social backlash, or violence alters reporting patterns.
Comparative Context
Bangladesh’s press freedom rankings remain lower than neighboring countries (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka), indicating systemic weaknesses.

6. Discussion
Democratic Implications: Restricted journalism compromises citizen access to reliable information, weakening oversight of public institutions.
Social Implications: Communities lose coverage on corruption, climate change, human rights, and local governance issues.
International Implications: Press suppression affects foreign investment, aid, and international perception.
Long-term Effects: Persistent threats foster normalization of self-censorship, eroding investigative reporting culture.
7. Policy Recommendations
Independent Commission: Investigate journalist attacks and provide legal protection.
Legal Reform: Repeal or amend DSA/CSA; establish transparent complaint mechanisms.
Economic Protections: Ensure timely salaries, job security, and emergency support funds for journalists.
Media Ownership Transparency: Prevent concentration in hands of political elites.
International Oversight: UN and global press freedom watchdogs to monitor, advise, and assist.

8. Conclusion
Journalism in Bangladesh has faced persistent risks, but the period 2024–2025 marks an unprecedented escalation. Violence, legal harassment, economic instability, and self-censorship collectively threaten not only media professionals but also the foundations of democracy. Ensuring safety, independence, and financial stability of journalists is critical for democratic accountability, informed citizenry, and societal resilience.

9. References
Article 19. (2025). Freedom og expression in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.article19.org
Deutsche Welle. (2025). Bangladesh media survey. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh/t-65210898
Human Rights Watch. (2025). World report: Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org
Prothom Alo. (2025). Local news reports. Retrieved from https://www.prothomalo.com
Reporters Without Borders. (2025). Press freedom index: Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://rsf.org/en/bangladesh
Jugantor. (2025). National coverage of journalist killings. Retrieved from https://www.jugantor.com