Foreign journalists warn of growing threats to investigative reporting in South Asia

Foreign journalists and media experts have warned that investigative journalism across South Asia is facing mounting threats from political polarisation, financial pressure, corporate influence and attacks on media institutions.

The concerns were raised today (8 May) at the Bangladesh Journalism Conference held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, where speakers from different countries stressed the need for stronger institutional support, global collaboration and protection for investigative reporters.

Zaffar Abbas, editor of Pakistan's English-language daily Dawn, said investigative journalism in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan increasingly depends not only on reporters' courage, but also on whether media owners and management are willing to face political and financial consequences.

Speaking at a session on investigative reporting in politically polarised societies, Abbas said journalists exposing corruption often face organised smear campaigns, withdrawal of advertisements and institutional pressure aimed at silencing critical reporting.

"When you expose corruption in the private sector or state institutions, retaliation is inevitable," he said.

Abbas stressed that newsroom editors play a key role in selecting stories, assigning reporters and determining how far an organisation is prepared to pursue sensitive investigations, but added that editorial independence cannot survive without sustained support from publishers and management.

Drawing from his experience in Pakistan, he recounted investigations into corruption in the property, financial and government sectors that led to significant financial and political repercussions for his newsroom.

Canadian investigative journalist Julian Sher said corruption has become increasingly globalised, making international cooperation among journalists essential.

"My experience investigating corruption in Canada and around the world is that corruption is global. The money is moving around the world, so we need cooperation across borders to investigate it," he said, adding that investigative journalism remains inherently dangerous.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh chief Iftekharuzzaman criticised the handling of attacks on media institutions in Bangladesh, saying journalists continue to face severe security threats.

"The way one of Bangladesh's leading media institutions came under attack, and the way the interim government remained largely silent, reflects a deeply irresponsible stance," he said.

He alleged that despite repeated appeals and requests for intervention, authorities failed to take effective action, even though relevant agencies had the capacity to respond.

Speakers at the conference also warned that increasing commercialisation within the media industry is weakening accountability journalism and threatening the future of investigative reporting in the region.

They stressed that without institutional commitment and protection for journalists, investigative reporting risks losing its watchdog role in democratic societies.