File photo: A girl rescues books from a shop near the Prothom Alo daily newspaper, which was set on fire by protesters after news reached the country from Singapore of the death of a prominent activist, Sharif Osman Hadi, in Dhaka (Picture credit: AP)
Journalists, editors, and media owners in Bangladesh on Saturday urged authorities to ensure their safety following recent attacks on two major newspapers in Dhaka.The attacks, which targeted the Daily Star and Prothom Alo in December, involved mobs storming the newspaper offices, setting fire to buildings, and trapping staff on rooftops. According to news agency AP, newspaper authorities criticised the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus for failing to respond promptly to disperse the attackers. A leader of the Editors Council was reportedly manhandled during the incident, while both newspaper offices were looted.The attacks came shortly after the death of a prominent Islamist activist and were preceded by months of protests outside the dailies, during which Islamist groups accused the newspapers of having links with India.On Saturday, the Editors Council and the Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh held a joint conference in Dhaka, bringing together editors, union leaders, and journalists from across the country to demand protection for media personnel ahead of the national elections scheduled for February.Nurul Kabir, President of the Editors Council and editor of the New Age daily, said the assaults reflect a growing trend to suppress institutions that represent democratic aspirations. “Those who want to suppress institutions that act as vehicles of democratic aspirations are doing so through laws, force and intimidation,” he said. Kabir emphasised the need for unity among journalists to resist such pressures.Irene Khan, a United Nations expert, described the attacks as “deeply alarming” and called for prompt and effective investigations. She warned that the targeting of journalists and cultural centres could undermine media freedom, minority voices, and dissenting perspectives, particularly during the election period, AP reported.The attacks have intensified concerns over press freedom in Bangladesh, where journalists have also faced death threats, online surveillance, and harassment in recent months.Staffers recounted being forced onto rooftops during the December arson, with emergency responders delayed in reaching them. Many journalists have since restricted their social media presence due to threats and monitoring.The interim government under Yunus, which came to power after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled amid a mass uprising in August 2024, has faced criticism from human rights groups for failing to uphold civil liberties and for the rise of radical elements. Several journalists with links to Hasina have been arrested or face charges related to the 2024 unrest, reported AP.
