NOAB expresses concern over media freedom, safety of journalists

The Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has expressed deep concern over recent incidents involving the Daily Janakantha and the overall state of press freedom and safety of journalists in the country.

In a statement issued today (7 August), NOAB said, "We are alarmed to see recent attempts to create a mob targeting Daily Janakantha, with efforts to forcefully evict its management and impose demands through intimidation."

The association stressed that if there were any outstanding dues owed to workers, they should have been addressed through the labour court, and any disputes over news content or editorial matters could have been resolved through the Bangladesh Press Council.

"Instead, an unpleasant situation was created at the newspaper's office and its digital portal," NOAB said.

The NOAB also reacted to the latest report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), which highlighted trends in press freedom and the right to information. NOAB described the findings as "distressing."

According to TIB's report, between August 2024 and July 2025, a total of 496 journalists faced various forms of harassment.

Of them, 266 journalists were accused in cases related to the July Uprising.

Three journalists were killed while performing their duties, and at least 24 media professionals were dismissed from their positions, it said, adding, editors of eight newspapers and news chiefs of 11 private television channels were removed from their posts.

In light of these developments, NOAB has called on the government to take urgent measures to ensure press freedom as a fundamental pillar of a free and democratic society.

"The culture of creating mobs to intimidate media owners must be stopped," NOAB said.