Press freedom key to restoring democracy in Bangladesh, warn global media watchdogs
A climate of fear has led to growing self-censorship among journalists, says the South Asia Journalists’ Federation (SAJF)
Press freedom is essential to restoring democracy in Bangladesh, three major international and regional media organisations said in a joint statement today (11 February), warning that continued intimidation of journalists threatens the country's democratic transition.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Federation of Asia-Pacific Journalists (FAPAJ), and the South Asia Journalists' Federation (SAJF) said that despite 18 months having passed since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's 17-year rule following the July Uprising, repression of the media has not subsided.
Citing data from the Foundation for Human Rights Culture (MSF), the statement said more than 800 media workers have faced attacks since the political transition. Of them, 465 were subjected to threats or injuries, while at least 430 cases were filed against journalists.
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The organisations expressed concern over the vandalism and arson attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo on 19 December last year, as well as the assault on 10 members of the Crime Reporters Association in Narsingdi.
They also alleged that the leak of personal data of 14,000 journalists from the Election Commission's server on 31 January, along with the freezing and scrutiny of journalists' bank accounts by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), signalled efforts at surveillance and intimidation.
The SAJF noted that a climate of fear has led to growing self-censorship among journalists.
"If the media is treated as an enemy of the state and journalists remain behind bars, a transition to an effective democracy is impossible," the statement said, urging political parties to unite in safeguarding independent journalism and ensuring protection for media workers.
