Journalist Safety Takes Center Stage at 10th CJEN Annual Conference in Dhaka

The two-day 10th Annual Conference of the Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN), Bangladesh, concluded in Dhaka on Saturday, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure journalists’ safety and security as the foundation for promoting ethical journalism in the country.

Hosted by the Department of Media and Mass Communication at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) in collaboration with DW Akademie, German Cooperation, and CJEN, the event brought together more than 100 academics, researchers, journalists, and students — making it the largest gathering of journalism educators in Bangladesh.

During the opening day, several research papers were presented, including one titled “Safety and Security of Journalists in Bangladesh” by Mahamudul Haque, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.

Drawing on interviews with 518 journalists from across the country, Mahamudul revealed alarming statistics:

• 37.5% of journalists reported experiencing physical assault at least once related to their work.
• 65.6% faced threats.
• 22.4% were victims of robbery or snatching.
• 78.7% endured mental harassment.
• 52.3% suffered from cyberbullying.

The study also found that 36.7% of respondents faced police harassment or intimidation, while 69.3% reported broader threats or fear from other sources. Notably, 87.9% expressed ongoing anxiety about personal safety, and 89.6% believed that journalists in Bangladesh face multiple, overlapping security risks.

Mahamudul — himself a former senior journalist — said the findings expose “systemic vulnerabilities faced by media professionals in Bangladesh” and called for institutional safeguards, policy interventions, and effective protection mechanisms to uphold press freedom and journalist security.

The inaugural session featured distinguished guests, including UGC Chairman Prof Dr Syed Muhammed Abul Faiz, AMIC Secretary-General Ramon Guillermo R. Genilo, AIUB Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saiful Islam, AIUB Trustee Board Members Dr Carmen Z Lamagna and Istiaque Abedin, and ULAB Pro-VC and CJEN Chairman Prof Dr Jude William Genilo, among others.