Bangladesh Media Under Threat: A Pre-Election Crisis
Journalists in Bangladesh are reporting severe challenges as the February 2026 national elections draw nearer. They describe facing serious dangers, including direct death threats, constant watching, and attempts to scare them. This difficult situation became much worse on December 19 when angry groups launched an attack, setting fire to the offices of two major newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. During these violent events, over two dozen media workers found themselves trapped inside.
While thankfully no journalists lost their lives, those who were there believe the attackers intended to cause extreme harm. Staff members shared frightening stories of being forced onto the rooftops as thick smoke from the fires filled the buildings. With weak phone signals, getting help took many hours. "We truly weren't sure if we would make it through the night," a senior journalist from The Daily Star told TOI from Dhaka, adding, "And ever since, it feels like the danger hasn't passed. That fire was only the beginning of our troubles."
Key Concerns for Bangladeshi Journalists
- Death Threats: Direct threats to their lives for reporting critical stories.
- Surveillance: Being watched online and in person, especially for expressing liberal or minority viewpoints.
- Physical Attacks: Violent assaults on media offices and personnel, including arson and vandalism.
- Lack of Protection: A widespread feeling of being unprotected by the state and law enforcement agencies.
- Impunity: The absence of arrests or formal investigations into violent acts against the press.
Dramatic Rescue and Intent to Harm
In the end, twenty-eight individuals, mainly journalists and other staff, were saved by brave firefighters and army teams. Later, groups dedicated to protecting press freedom stated that the attackers seemed determined to burn the journalists alive. In some shocking instances, these groups even tried to stop emergency services from reaching the trapped media workers. Although these reports highlight the extreme danger faced, authorities have confirmed no fatalities from the incident.
Ongoing Surveillance and Intimidation Tactics
After the direct attacks, a different, quieter but equally harmful form of threat began. Reporters working for both local and global news outlets shared with TOI that they are now being watched online. They receive warnings from unknown sources, and some are even being followed in person. Because of this, some journalists have completely stopped using social media. "They check our online posts to figure out who we support," explained a journalist from Sylhet. "If you are from a minority group or write with a progressive viewpoint, you become a target. The next two months leading up to the election will be extremely risky."
From Student Protests to Media Attacks
The initial spark for these attacks was protests following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. However, these protests quickly turned into widespread violence against the media. News offices were completely ransacked. Computers and other valuable equipment were either stolen or broken beyond repair. In The Daily Star's newsroom, editors and reporters recalled having only minutes to escape before the fire reached their workstations. "We could hear them smashing things on the lower floors," one editor recounted. "We had to leave immediately, without even turning off our computers. We couldn't afford to look back."
Lack of Justice and International Concerns
Alarmingly, no arrests have been made in connection with these attacks, and no official investigation has identified those responsible. Many human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Access Now, have strongly condemned the events. They warn that such incidents show a serious decline in public freedom within Bangladesh. Their combined statement also criticized the government for not taking action against increasing hate speech and online abuse aimed at journalists.
Government Promises vs. Ground Reality
Chief advisor Muhammed Yunus has publicly spoken out against the fires and pledged to guarantee the safety of media professionals. However, journalists working in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh say these promises don't match the reality they face. "This wasn't just simple damage," a reporter from Prothom Alo stated. "It felt like a staged event, and the government seemed to be watching it unfold."
Journalists Continue Work Amidst Fear
Despite the destruction, newsrooms in Dhaka that were set on fire are now operating from temporary locations. Reporters are still working hard to publish stories, though fewer are now using their names in bylines due to fear. "We understand that our job comes with risks," explained a journalist from The Daily Star. "But we never expected to do it without protection โ not from the government, not from the legal system, and not even from the general public."
A Regional Trend: Nepal's Similar Experience
This pattern of attacks on the media is not unique to Bangladesh. In Nepal this year, news offices have also faced violence. During anti-government protests in September, demonstrators vandalized and torched the main offices of Kantipur Media Group. A senior editor from Nepal told TOI that the trend is clear: "It begins with weakening the trust in reporters, then moves to watching them closely, and eventually becomes violent. This isn't just a few separate incidents; it's a planned acceptance of not punishing wrongdoers."
