A coalition of journalists and media rights activists staged a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday, demanding the release of jailed journalists, withdrawal of what they described as “false and politically motivated cases,” and an end to intimidation and harassment targeting media professionals in Bangladesh.
The demonstration, organized by the “Anti-Repression Journalists Front,” brought together journalists, editors, media workers, and rights advocates who said the former administration led by Muhammad Yunus oversaw one of the harshest crackdowns on journalists in Bangladesh’s recent history.
Speakers at the protest said pressure on journalists intensified after August 2024, when political turmoil reshaped Bangladesh’s power structure following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to the speakers, hundreds of journalists faced criminal cases, arrests, dismissals, accreditation cancellations, travel bans, and financial restrictions as part of a broader effort to silence dissenting voices and bring sections of the media sector under political control.
‘Journalists Were Criminalized’
Speaking at the rally, Anti-Repression Journalists Front Convener Akter Hossain accused the former Yunus administration of using state institutions to suppress journalists and critical reporting.
“During the Yunus government, false and harassing cases were filed against journalists. Many were dismissed from their jobs and imprisoned,” Akter Hossain said while addressing the gathering Friday morning outside the National Press Club in Dhaka.
“The responsibility now lies with the current government to free jailed journalists and stop this repression. If they fail to do so, it will mean they have chosen to stand against journalists,” he added.
Akter Hossain said restoring professional freedom for journalists would strengthen Bangladesh’s democratic image internationally and help rebuild confidence in the country’s commitment to freedom of expression.
He also warned that investigative journalism cannot survive in an environment dominated by fear, intimidation, surveillance, and administrative pressure.
“If journalists are denied security and independence, investigative journalism will collapse. Corruption and irregularities will remain hidden from the public,” he said.
He further argued that the state has a responsibility to ensure a safe professional environment for journalists so that corruption, abuse of power, and irregularities can be exposed without fear.
Allegations of Systematic Suppression
The organization’s Member Secretary Sheikh Jamal delivered a detailed account of what he described as widespread persecution of journalists since August 2024.
According to him, the crackdown extended beyond legal harassment and included physical attacks, institutional intimidation, mob violence, and organized attempts to weaken independent media structures.
“After taking power amid domestic and foreign conspiracies in August 2024, the Yunus group began attacking free-minded citizens from all walks of life,” Sheikh Jamal alleged during his speech at the event.
He claimed that attacks targeted not only journalists and media institutions, but also symbols associated with Bangladesh’s Liberation War heritage, shrines, and cultural landmarks.
According to Sheikh Jamal, pressure on journalists became part of a broader strategy aimed at controlling public narratives and discouraging critical reporting.
“A group tried to control the state narrative by weakening independent media,” he said. “Critical journalism and opposing views were systematically suppressed.”
Arrests, Killings, and Mass Cases
During the demonstration, organizers presented a series of statistics that they said reflected the scale of pressure faced by journalists over the past two years.
Sheikh Jamal claimed that 47 journalists across Bangladesh had been arrested since August 2024, including prominent figures such as Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Manjurul Alam Panna, and Anis Alamgir. Several, he said, remain in prison.
He further alleged that at least 13 journalists — including Mehedi Hasan, Shakil Hossain, Tahir Zaman, ATM Turab, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, and Sohel Akhanji — were killed during political violence and unrest.
According to the organizers, murder cases were filed against 449 journalists nationwide, while more than 1,200 reporters, editors, newsroom executives, and correspondents lost their jobs.
Protesters further claimed that 168 journalists had their accreditation cards revoked, more than 700 journalists lost or had suspended memberships at press clubs across the country, over 50 journalists faced travel bans, and at least 47 journalists had their bank accounts frozen.
The allegations could not be independently verified immediately.
Media Offices ‘Attacked and Burned’
Speakers at the rally also accused authorities and politically aligned groups of failing to protect media institutions during the unrest that followed the 2024 political transition.
According to the protesters, several television stations, newspapers, and media offices were vandalized, attacked, or targeted in arson incidents.
Among the outlets mentioned during the protest were Ekattor TV, Somoy TV, DBC News, ATN News, News24, The Daily Star, and Prothom Alo.
Participants alleged that impunity surrounding such incidents had created a dangerous precedent for media freedom in Bangladesh.
“Attempts were made to kill journalists by setting fire to television stations and newspaper offices,” one speaker alleged, adding that many of those responsible had escaped accountability.
Growing Concerns Over Democratic Space
Participants at the human chain emphasized that attacks on journalists ultimately affect the broader democratic structure of the country.
Speakers repeatedly argued that freedom of expression and independent journalism are essential pillars of a democratic society and warned that silencing journalists through fear and legal harassment undermines citizens’ right to information.
“An independent state can never accept attacks on the media,” several speakers said during the protest, while demanding impartial investigations into incidents involving violence against journalists.
Media analysts and rights advocates attending the event warned that sustained intimidation and professional insecurity could discourage future generations from entering journalism.
According to participants, a climate of fear and uncertainty now dominates large parts of Bangladesh’s media sector.
Key Demands Raised at the Protest
The Anti-Repression Journalists Front presented a detailed list of demands during the program, including:
- Immediate release of all jailed journalists
- Withdrawal of alleged false and politically motivated cases
- Fair investigation and trial of journalist killings
- Reinstatement of dismissed journalists
- Reopening of offices of the Dhaka Union of Journalists and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
- Restoration of suspended memberships at the National Press Club and other press clubs
- Return of canceled accreditation cards
- Removal of bank account freezes
- Withdrawal of travel restrictions imposed on journalists
Sheikh Jamal said the organization was formed specifically to resist future persecution against journalists and to defend press freedom collectively.
“We have formed the Anti-Repression Journalists Front so that no government in the future can carry out this kind of persecution again,” he said.
Large Turnout of Journalists and Media Leaders
The program was chaired by Akter Hossain and moderated by Sheikh Jamal.
Among those who addressed the gathering were former National Press Club Joint Secretary Ashraf Ali, Bogura Journalists Union President JM Rauf, Joint Convener Zakir Hossain Emon, Dhaka Union of Journalists Treasurer Soheli Chowdhury, Legal Affairs Secretary Asadur Rahman, Office Secretary Jannatul Ferdous Sohel, Executive Members Sajeda Haque and AKM Obaidur Rahman.
Former Dhaka Reporters Unity finance secretary Rezaul Karim and numerous journalists and media workers from across the country also attended the event.
At the conclusion of the human chain, participants pledged to continue a united movement to protect journalists’ rights, restore professional security, and defend press freedom in Bangladesh.
