A new controversy over press freedom in Bangladesh has erupted following remarks by Mahfuz Alam, Adviser to the Yunus government and a prominent figure in the anti-Awami League movement. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Journalists’ Welfare Trust to mark World Press Freedom Day, Alam announced that media outlets registered during the Awami League government’s tenure would be subject to investigation.
Journalists and media rights activists have condemned the statement, viewing it as a veiled threat to independent journalism. Many fear the comments may signal a new wave of state-led scrutiny and censorship targeting outlets perceived as critical of the current regime or sympathetic to the previous administration.
Concerns Over Freedom of Expression
The journalist community considers the proposed investigations a direct assault on media freedom and an attempt to delegitimize credible news organizations. Several senior editors and journalist unions have called for immediate clarification from the government, stressing that press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic governance.
They argue that media registration under a democratically elected government is a standard legal procedure and should not be questioned retroactively based on political changes. “Targeting media based on their registration period sets a dangerous precedent,” said a senior journalist in Dhaka.
Adviser’s Controversial Remarks
In his speech, Adviser Mahfuz Alam insisted the government does not intend to shut down any news outlets but emphasized that certain organizations had operated as “propaganda tools” under the previous administration. He accused them of promoting authoritarian narratives and branded them as “fascism’s allies.”
His remarks have raised alarm not only among media professionals but also within civil society and human rights circles, which view this rhetoric as indicative of growing intolerance toward dissenting voices.
Rising Number of Cases Against Journalists
Since the Yunus government assumed office, 266 legal cases have reportedly been filed against journalists over the past eight months. Many of these have been lodged under the Digital Security Act and other penal codes, often targeting reporters for critical coverage of government actions or high-profile individuals.
Human rights groups report that numerous journalists have been arrested without due process, subjected to custodial abuse, or forced out of their jobs. These developments have created an atmosphere of fear, prompting many journalists to self-censor or avoid investigative reporting.
International Response
The international community has also voiced concern. Press freedom watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have condemned the growing pressure on Bangladeshi journalists. In its latest World Press Freedom Index, RSF recorded a significant decline in Bangladesh’s ranking, citing increased political interference and erosion of editorial independence.
The United Nations and several foreign diplomatic missions in Dhaka have called on the government to safeguard journalists’ rights and ensure a free, diverse, and independent media environment.
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These developments highlight the fragile state of press freedom in Bangladesh, where political transitions frequently coincide with shifting media landscapes. Journalists and rights defenders urge the government to uphold constitutional guarantees, avoid arbitrary investigations, and refrain from targeting media outlets based on perceived political affiliations.