Death Threats Now Common for Journalists in Dhaka, Reporters Say
Journalists in Bangladesh say the freedom to report independently is rapidly diminishing as the country approaches its national elections in February 2026. Reporters describe an atmosphere of fear marked by death threats, online surveillance, and intimidation, which intensified following violent attacks on two of the nation’s largest media outlets.
On December 19, large mobs attacked and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka, leaving more than two dozen journalists and staff trapped inside the buildings. Although no one was killed, journalists who experienced the attack said the danger was clear and deliberate.
As flames spread and thick smoke filled the buildings, staff members were forced onto rooftops to escape. Mobile networks failed, making communication nearly impossible, while emergency services took hours to arrive. One senior journalist said there was genuine fear that no one would survive the night, adding that the attack marked the beginning of a much deeper crisis for the press.
Eventually, firefighters and army personnel rescued 28 people, most of them journalists and newsroom employees. Press freedom groups later stated that attackers appeared intent on causing fatal harm and, in several cases, obstructed rescue efforts. Despite the severity of the violence, no deaths were reported.
Source: The Economic Times
