Info ministry challenges Reporters Without Borders' Bangladesh ranking, statement | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
Info ministry challenges Reporters Without Borders' Bangladesh ranking, statement

Bangladesh

TBS Report
18 February, 2024, 02:15 pm
Last modified: 19 February, 2024, 02:02 pm

Related News

  • Commonwealth offers support in Bangladesh reform process 
  • Dhaka's Eid waste cleanup mostly satisfactory with some hiccups
  • Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date

Info ministry challenges Reporters Without Borders' Bangladesh ranking, statement

TBS Report
18 February, 2024, 02:15 pm
Last modified: 19 February, 2024, 02:02 pm
Info ministry challenges Reporters Without Borders' Bangladesh ranking, statement

Bangladesh has formally protested the latest report of Reporters Without Borders (also known as Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) which placed the country 163rd out of 180 nations in terms of press freedom for the year 2024.

Additionally, the country has raised objections regarding a statement published on the RSF website's 'Bangladesh Chapter'.

In a rejoinder addressed to Christophe Deloire, Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat criticised the ranking as "a misleading depiction of facts, undermining government initiatives to foster a free and independent press, media, and journalism."         

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Arguing that the report presents a misleading portrayal of the country's press freedom landscape, it said, "The RSF's overall stance against Bangladesh's reputation is unacceptable, biased, and deviates from factual accuracy."  

The state minister challenged claims made in the RSF report regarding legal cases against journalists mentioned in the report, asserting that detailed investigations contradicted RSF's allegations

He provided detailed information on the legal proceedings and acquittals of journalists such as Sirajul Islam Ratan, Ahmed Khan Babu, Golam Mostafa Rafiq, Khalilur Rahman, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, and SM Yusuf Ali.

"Legal cases against journalists, such as Rafiq of Habiganj Samachar and Sirajul of Gaibandha, have resulted in acquittals, contradicting any allegations. According to Sirajul's statement, he was acquitted in the case in 2023 and was not in custody during that year. Rafiq was acquitted in the case in 2018. According to his statement, he was not in captivity in 2023.

"Similarly, Ahmed Babu faced imprisonment in 2021 but later obtained bail from the court. According to his statement, in 2023, he spent 18 days in jail (from September 1 to September 18, 2023), and the case is currently under trial. Khalilur of Jhalkathi was released from a case from 2021 to 2023, with no incarceration during that year. He was acquitted in the case in 2023. The case against Akhtaruzzaman of Bogra in 2021 was acquitted in 2023. According to his statement, he was not in custody in 2023," reads the statement.

"Yusuf of Feni spent only 20 hours in jail in 2022, obtained bail from the court, and faced no further incarceration in 2023. According to his statement, in 2022, he was in prison for one day (November 21). The case is currently under trial. Notably, there have been no incidents of journalist arrests or killings in Bangladesh in 2024," it added.

Contrary to RSF's assertions, Arafat highlighted the government's role in facilitating the expansion of private television and radio channels, which he argued demonstrated a commitment to fostering a free and independent media environment.

He highlighted the significant presence of online media outlets and the vibrant social media landscape in Bangladesh and claimed that editorial freedom thrives in these spaces without any form of censorship.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by Bangladesh in upholding press freedom, he noted that the government has taken numerous initiatives to support journalists and media professionals.

He, in the letter, outlined various policies and programs implemented by the government, including the Journalist Accreditation Policy, the National Broadcasting Policy, and the establishment of the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust, aimed at protecting journalists' rights and welfare.

The state minister urged RSF to reconsider its ranking of Bangladesh and to take into account the government's efforts to uphold press freedom in the country.

He requested a second review of the ranking, suggesting that a more thorough examination of the government's efforts could lead to a more accurate assessment.

Top News

Mohammad Ali Arafat / state minister Arafat / Reporters Without Borders / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
    Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who departed Israel by plane on Tuesday after being detained aboard the Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht "Madleen" after Israeli forces boarded the charity vessel as it attempted to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, talks to journalists surrounded by French police as she arrives at a terminal at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, in Roissy-en-France near Paris, France, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
    Greta Thunberg says she was kidnapped by Israel in international waters

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • File Photo: Collected
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Photos: Collected
    Abdul Hamid wasn't arrested because he's not wanted right now: Home adviser

Related News

  • Commonwealth offers support in Bangladesh reform process 
  • Dhaka's Eid waste cleanup mostly satisfactory with some hiccups
  • Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

4h | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

7h | TBS World
BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

7h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

5h | TBS News of the day
Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

8h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net