Covering conflict without protection: Why safety remains elusive for Bangladesh’s journalists

On 18 July last year, a journalist was shot and killed by police while covering a July Uprising protest in Jatrabari. The following day, in Sylhet, police fired shotguns loaded with lethal ammunition at a BNP rally. In response, some protesters defended themselves with flagpoles and bricks. Among those shot and killed by the police was another journalist who had been photographing the protest.

Overall, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s Fact-Finding Report on the July Uprising, between 15 July and 5 August 2024, at least six journalists were killed at or around protests in Dhaka, Sylhet and Sirajganj, while around 200 journalists were injured. 

In several cases where the OHCHR obtained firsthand testimony, security forces indiscriminately fired at journalists covering the demonstrations. In other instances, journalists were directly targeted for merely exercising their professional duties, sometimes even by protesters. Photojournalists, in particular, were vulnerable to aggression from different actors who did not want their actions documented.

But the July Uprising was not an isolated event. Bangladesh has a long history of violent protests and demonstrations, and journalists finding themselves among the casualties of such unrest. 

Even in the past few weeks, during protests in Dhaka and other parts of the country, journalists on assignment have been injured while covering clashes between police and protesters. Most recently on Wednesday, apart from shops being vandalised in Bogura over an alleged attack on workers' leaders, journalists were also attacked by protesters. 

"Journalists shouldn't have to buy or import safety gear themselves. Just as media houses cover the costs of a journalist's assignments, they should also bear the costs and handle the processes of procuring safety equipment for their employees. If they cite high prices or bureaucratic obstacles, they are simply making excuses."

Masood Kamal, Senior Journalist

While it goes without saying that both law enforcement agencies and violent protesters bear responsibility for these casualties, what often gets overlooked is that most journalists in our country cover these high-risk events without any personal safety gear that could significantly reduce their chances of injury or death.

Rajib Nandy, an associate professor of Communication and Journalism at Chittagong University, emphasised the severe risks journalists in Bangladesh face due to the lack of safety training and protective equipment. 

"Journalists should wear sturdy or bulletproof helmets to prevent head injuries and use press identifiers, such as jackets and helmets, to ensure they are recognised by both law enforcement and protesters. High-quality gas masks are crucial for protection against tear gas, while safety goggles can help prevent exposure to water cannons or chemical sprays," he said. 

He also underscored the importance of risk assessment and proper planning before covering demonstrations. "Journalists must conduct thorough research on the situation beforehand, including assessing the likelihood of violence, anticipating law enforcement responses and identifying safe locations to avoid direct confrontation."

These align with the recommendations made by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit organisation that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists worldwide, in their 2024 report. 

However, it looks like in spite of recent incidents of journalists being killed and injured, their safety remains compromised in Bangladesh. 

Redwan Ahmed, a journalist and press freedom advocate, recalled how he and many of his colleagues were injured during the violent clashes between BNP supporters, police, and Awami League activists on 28 October 2023. Following the incident, national and international organisations attempted to secure high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) for journalists.

"However, good-quality PPE is both expensive and difficult to obtain in Bangladesh. Arbitrary import regulations, excessive bureaucracy and red tape have made it nearly impossible to bring these essential protective gears into the country," he said.

He added that the initiative to procure PPE for journalists stalled months ago. "Disappointingly, not just the government but also non-governmental organisations, non-profits, development partners, media freedom coalitions, and even employers themselves have failed to champion this issue with the persistence it deserves."

However, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, stated that while those responsible for attacking journalists will be brought to justice, the government cannot be held responsible for journalists not being provided with adequate safety equipment. 

Denying the claims of import regulations and bureaucratic hurdles, he argued that it is not the responsibility of charities or private organisations either to sponsor journalists with protective gear.

Recalling the time from his tenure with AFP, he said, "I was clearly communicated by the agency that as the Bangladesh bureau chief, I would be held liable and sued if any journalist under my supervision went to cover violent protests without safety gear and got injured or killed."

According to him, this should be the standard practice: Media houses must ensure their assigned journalists are properly equipped when covering high-risk environments. 

But in practice, this fundamental duty is often neglected due to a combination of factors, including budget constraints, lack of will, and a prevailing culture within the media industry that fails to prioritise journalists' safety.

"Bangladeshi journalists working in international media like AFP, BBC, Reuters receive all necessary safety measures. But unfortunately, hardly any local media houses in Bangladesh follow these practices. 

"If you can open a media house and do business, you should also be able to protect your journalists with everything they need for their safety. If you cannot do that, you shouldn't be in the media business," Shafiqul asserted.

He also criticised the notion that rushing into conflict zones without safety measures is a sign of courage. 

"Some journalists mistake recklessness for bravery. Covering violent protests without protective gear is not heroism. It's a dangerous gamble with their own lives that should be condemned by their peers so that they never repeat such foolish mistakes again," he said.

Meanwhile, senior journalist Masood Kamal pointed out that even if acquiring personal safety equipment is challenging for individual journalists due to high costs and bureaucratic hurdles, it should not be an issue for well-established media houses.

"Journalists shouldn't have to buy or import safety gear themselves. Just as media houses cover the costs of a journalist's assignments, they should also bear the costs and handle the processes of procuring safety equipment for their employees. If they cite high prices or bureaucratic obstacles as excuses, they are simply making an excuse," he said.

He further added, "The Media Reform Commission could play a crucial role by addressing this issue in their reports and recommending that all media houses adopt these basic safety standards. Maybe then media houses might feel compelled to take their employees' safety more seriously."

Notably, the Media Reform Commission is getting ready to submit their report to the interim government in the last week of March, and it will also recommend a Media Protection Act.

We reached out to several members of the commission to understand whether the safety issue of journalists will also be included in their recommendations. However, they declined to comment before the publication of the entire report