Dhaka, February 27 (NationPress) The Awami League of Bangladesh has raised serious alarms regarding the alarming increase in criminal cases, arrests, threats, and physical assaults targeting journalists nationwide following the political shift on August 5, 2024. This concern is echoed by reports from both local and international monitoring organizations.

The party underlined warnings issued by media organizations, indicating that this trend poses a threat to press freedom at a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's political landscape.

“In the wake of the political transition on August 5, 2024, journalists took to the streets to cover protests, confrontations, and the ensuing uncertainty. Unfortunately, many of them have transitioned from merely reporting the news to becoming part of it,” the Awami League stated.

Referencing a report from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), the Awami League noted that from August 5, 2024 to November 1, 2025, over 1,073 journalists and media personnel faced various forms of violence, including attacks, threats, detentions, legal actions, or harassment across 476 documented incidents.

The party also cited a public statement from the Editors’ Council of Bangladesh made on February 25, urging the newly established government led by Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to retract what they described as “false and harassing cases” against journalists filed since August 2024.

“These legal actions severely impede journalists’ ability to perform their jobs and undermine the independent media environment,” the statement, signed by Editors' Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, pointed out.

According to the Awami League, editors from numerous Bangladeshi media outlets have emphasized that these incidents, along with ongoing criminal litigation, have fostered a climate where journalists are increasingly cautious and consider legal repercussions before publishing sensitive news.

“In newsrooms, editors report a rise in self-censorship and prudence. Journalists frequently face court appearances, financial burdens from legal defenses, and uncertainties regarding their professional safety. Media analysts caution that the cumulative impact of these pressures could be profound—affecting not just reporters but also limiting public access to unbiased information,” the Awami League elaborated.

As Bangladesh continues to navigate its post-transition political environment, the party affirmed that how these cases are managed will serve as a crucial test of both democratic accountability and media freedom.