Bangladesh's Editors' Council on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, strongly condemned the escalating attacks, threats, and harassment targeting journalists across the country, demanding prompt and impartial investigations into all recent incidents. The Council's statement came in the wake of the 4 October assault on journalists at Rajshahi University, which it described as 'extremely concerning.'

The Rajshahi University Attack

At least 10 people sustained serious injuries on Sunday night after leaders and workers of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) — the student wing of Bangladesh's ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — allegedly attacked journalists and students outside Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall at Rajshahi University. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates and civil society groups across the country.

Among the journalists identified as injured were Arifuzzaman Korban, university correspondent of bdnews24; Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy; Noor Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star; and Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal.

What the Editors' Council Demanded

In its formal statement, the Council placed five demands before the government and relevant stakeholders. These include: prompt and impartial investigations into all recent attacks on journalists; exemplary legal action against perpetrators regardless of political affiliation; and a safe working environment for journalists covering political events, university functions, court proceedings, and public gatherings.

The Council also called for an immediate end to obstruction and intimidation during journalists' professional duties, and for political parties and their affiliated organisations to make clear commitments toward ensuring press safety. 'An attack on a journalist is not only an attack on a professional; it is an attack on independent journalism, freedom of expression and the public's right to know,' the statement declared.

Emphasising that journalists' safety is a prerequisite for democracy, the Council stated: 'Independent journalism is not possible in an environment of fear, threats and violence.'

Civil Society Joins the Outcry

The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) voiced 'serious concern' over what it characterised as 'armed attack and death threats' against journalists at Rajshahi University, calling for justice irrespective of the political identity or influence of those responsible. The Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) also sharply criticised the attack and called for exemplary punishment against those involved, as well as concrete steps to ensure a safe working environment for media professionals on campuses.

Broader Context

The Rajshahi University attack is not an isolated incident. The Editors' Council's statement signals a pattern of growing hostility toward the press, with journalists reportedly facing threats and physical harm while covering political events and university campuses. Critics argue that the involvement of a ruling party-affiliated student body makes meaningful accountability more difficult, and that political pressure could impede impartial investigations.

The Council's demands now await a formal response from the Bangladesh government. Whether authorities act swiftly and transparently will be a key test of press freedom and democratic accountability in the country.