Bangladesh press freedom: 162 journalists attacked in 112 incidents over 3 months
Synopsis
A fresh monitoring report from Dhaka-based Media Initiative for Development documents 162 journalists targeted in 112 incidents across Bangladesh in just three months — with August recording the sharpest spike and physical attacks constituting nearly two-thirds of that month's incidents. The findings expose not just the scale of violence but a glaring accountability gap: legal action after attacks has been largely absent.
Key Takeaways
162 journalists were attacked, threatened, or harassed in 112 incidents over three months in Bangladesh , per the Media Initiative for Development (MID) .
August was the worst month, with 67 journalists affected in 44 incidents — a 12.8% rise from July.
Of those targeted, 89 were from daily newspapers, 53 from TV channels, and 20 from online outlets.
Incidents spanned more than 30 districts ; Dhaka , Chittagong , Sirajganj , Barisal , and Sylhet recorded the highest numbers.
MID Executive Director Rashedul Hasan called on the government to conduct impartial investigations and ensure exemplary punishment for perpetrators.
At least 162 journalists in Bangladesh were subjected to attacks, threats, harassment, and legal intimidation across 112 separate incidents over the past three months while carrying out their professional duties, according to a monitoring report by the Media Initiative for Development (MID), a Dhaka-based research organisation. The findings, released on Friday, 3 October 2025, paint a stark picture of deteriorating press freedom conditions across the country.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
The data reveals a sharp escalation through the period. In July, 39 incidents affected 50 journalists nationwide. The situation worsened significantly in August, when 44 incidents targeted 67 journalists — a 12.8 per cent increase from the previous month, making it the worst of the three months. In September, 29 incidents affected 45 journalists across the country.
Nature of Attacks and Threats
Physical assaults and death threats dominated the forms of intimidation recorded during this period. In July, death threats accounted for 48.7 per cent of reported incidents, with physical attacks comprising 28.2 per cent. August saw physical attacks surge to 63.6 per cent of all incidents. By September, physical attacks and threats each stood at 37.9 per cent. Beyond these categories, the three-month window was marked by shootings, raids on journalists' homes and offices, abductions, and the filing of legal cases against reporters.
Who Was Most Affected
Journalists in print media — particularly those working in the field and outside major urban centres — bore the brunt of the violence, according to the MID report. Of the 162 journalists targeted, 89 were from daily newspapers, 53 from television channels, and 20 from online news outlets. Incidents were reported across more than 30 districts, with Dhaka, Chittagong, Sirajganj, Barisal, and Sylhet divisions recording comparatively higher concentrations of attacks and harassment.
MID Calls for Accountability
The MID expressed serious concern over the absence of meaningful legal action following attacks on journalists. Rashedul Hasan, Executive Director of MID, was quoted as saying: 'Violence against journalists is a direct attack on press freedom and people's right to information. The government must sincerely ensure journalists' safety by conducting impartial and swift investigations into every incident and ensuring exemplary punishment for those responsible.'
Wider Context
This comes amid a broader pattern of press freedom erosion that organisations monitoring South Asian media have flagged with increasing urgency. Bangladesh has faced recurring criticism over journalist safety, and this three-month data captures a period of particular intensity. Notably, the absence of substantive accountability mechanisms — despite documented incidents — remains a central concern raised by the MID. How the government responds to the organisation's demands for impartial investigations will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
With August's 63.6 per cent share of physical attacks suggesting that intimidation has moved beyond warnings into direct assault. What makes this report particularly damning is not the violence itself but the accountability vacuum the MID identifies: without swift legal consequences, each unpunished attack effectively licenses the next. Bangladesh's government faces a credibility test — the response to these findings will signal whether press freedom is a stated value or a diplomatic talking point.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many journalists were attacked in Bangladesh in the past three months?
At least 162 journalists faced attacks, threats, harassment, or legal intimidation across 112 separate incidents over the past three months in Bangladesh, according to a report by the Media Initiative for Development (MID) released on 3 October 2025.
Which month was worst for journalist attacks in Bangladesh?
August was the worst month of the three-month period, with 67 journalists affected in 44 incidents — a 12.8 per cent increase from July. Physical attacks constituted 63.6 per cent of all incidents that month.
What types of violence did journalists face in Bangladesh?
Journalists faced physical attacks, death threats, shootings, raids on their homes and offices, abductions, and the filing of legal cases. In July, death threats made up 48.7 per cent of incidents; by August, physical attacks dominated at 63.6 per cent.
Which media workers were most at risk in Bangladesh?
Print media journalists — particularly those working in the field and outside major cities — were the most affected group. Of 162 targeted journalists, 89 were from daily newspapers, 53 from TV channels, and 20 from online outlets.
What has the Media Initiative for Development demanded from the Bangladesh government?
MID Executive Director Rashedul Hasan called on the government to conduct impartial and swift investigations into every incident and ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible, stressing that violence against journalists is a direct attack on press freedom and the public's right to information.
