CPJ urges probe into attacks on Bangladesh media

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 2 hours ago | JP Asia Desk

Civil society groups, including CPJ, urged Bangladeshi authorities to investigate attacks on media outlets, warning that violence against the press undermines free expression and election integrity.
Summary

DHAKA — Civil society organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, on December 23 called for swift and transparent investigations into violent attacks targeting news outlets in Bangladesh, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to freedom of expression.

In a public statement, the groups said attacks on media organizations undermine the public’s right to information and weaken democratic safeguards, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

Concerns ahead of national elections

The call comes as Bangladesh prepares for national elections, a time when independent reporting is critical for voters to access accurate and diverse information. Press freedom advocates have repeatedly warned that intimidation or violence against journalists can distort public discourse.

CPJ and allied organizations stressed that ensuring the safety of media workers and facilities is essential to maintaining public trust in the electoral process and preventing self-censorship among journalists.

Calls for accountability and protection

The organizations urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that impunity for attacks on the press encourages further violence. They also called for preventive measures to protect media outlets and reporters.

While the statement focused on investigations, it also highlighted the broader need for institutional safeguards that uphold press freedom and the rule of law, noting that these principles are central to democratic stability.

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