Bangladesh's anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned a gun attack on four journalists in Khulna city on 15 July 2025, calling it a direct assault on press freedom and independent journalism. The condemnation came as victims reportedly hesitated to file a police case, signalling what TIB described as a deep-rooted culture of fear within Bangladesh's journalism community.

What Happened in Khulna

Gunmen opened fire on four journalists in the early hours of 15 July while they were seated outside a tea stall after completing their professional duties. Among those injured was Awal Sheikh, Khulna correspondent for Bangladeshi daily The Business Standard, who reportedly sustained bullet splinter injuries in the attack. The motive behind the shooting has not yet been established.

TIB's Demand for Accountability

In a statement issued on Thursday, 17 July, TIB called for an immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation — one that goes beyond identifying the gunmen to uncovering those who planned and ordered the attack. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the probe must be conducted 'without yielding to any form of influence or unnecessary delay.'

'It is not yet clear whether the attack specifically targeted an individual journalist or was carried out in retaliation for any particular news report. There is no doubt that this armed attack on journalists constitutes an assault on media freedom and the right to freedom of expression,' Iftekharuzzaman was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune.

He further warned that filing a case alone would be insufficient. 'It is equally important to establish the true motive behind the attack, identify who was or were responsible, determine under whose instructions it was carried out, and ascertain whether it was linked to the journalists' professional work. Otherwise, as has happened on numerous occasions in the past, this incident also risks becoming another addition to the long list of cases marked by impunity,' he added.

A Climate of Fear in Bangladesh's Press

TIB pointed to the victims' reluctance to seek legal redress as evidence of a systemic problem. Iftekharuzzaman described it as reflecting 'fears of retaliatory attacks, a sense of insecurity, and the prevailing culture of fear' within the country's journalism community.

'Where the victims themselves fear to seek justice, we cannot say media freedom is safe. Such fear and mistrust discourage independent, investigative, and public-interest journalism while emboldening powerful and vested interest groups to act with greater impunity,' he noted.

He also pointed out that law enforcement agencies, including intelligence authorities, possess extensive surveillance capabilities — making it 'logical to assume that the perpetrators of such crimes can be identified,' even in the absence of a victim-filed complaint.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

This incident is not an isolated one. Bangladesh has a documented history of attacks on journalists going unpunished, with TIB itself acknowledging that past cases have repeatedly been 'marked by impunity.' The watchdog called on Bangladeshi authorities to 'dismantle this culture of fear' and take immediate steps to guarantee journalist safety, credible investigations, and exemplary accountability.

With no case yet filed and the motive still undetermined, the Khulna attack risks fading without accountability — unless authorities move decisively in the days ahead.