Interim Government’s Reform Process Fragile, Says TIB Chief
The reform framework introduced by the interim government following the fall of the previous authoritarian regime remains fragile and inadequately prepared for effective implementation, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman.
LPG Gas Prices Rise Again Amid Market Volatility
Amid ongoing inflation and market instability, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has once again increased the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the consumer level. The price of the widely used 12-kg LPG cylinder has been raised by Tk 50 for February, setting the new price at Tk 1,356. The new price came into effect from Monday evening (February 2).
Female Students Protest at Dhaka University Over Jamaat Ameer’s ‘Misogynistic’ Post
A group of female students staged a protest at Dhaka University over an allegedly “misogynistic” post published on social media by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. On Sunday (2:00 PM), a rally and symbolic broom procession were held at the base of the university’s Anti-Terrorism Raju Sculpture under the banner “Broom Procession in Protest Against the Insult of Working Women.”
Data of 14,000 Journalists Leaked, EC Launches Investigation
While applying for online registration for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum, allegations have emerged that the personal and professional information of nearly 14,000 journalists was leaked from the Election Commission (EC) website.
Citizen Delegation Inspects Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minorities in Raozan
A citizen delegation on Saturday visited the sites of recent attacks and arson targeting religious minority households in Sultanpur Municipality of Raozan upazila in Chattogram, expressing serious concern over minority safety ahead of the upcoming national election.
Media and Broadcasting Commission Ordinances Termed ‘Unreasonable’ by Editors’ Council
The Editors’ Council has described the hurried publication of draft ordinances for the “National Media Commission” and the “Broadcasting Commission” just ahead of the election as undesirable and unreasonable. The organization of newspaper editors believes that making final decisions on laws with such far-reaching consequences without adequate consultation with stakeholders poses a risk to media freedom.
Journalism in Bangladesh Is Going Through an All-Pervasive Climate of Fear: Mahfuz Anam to Al Jazeera
The Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, has said that journalism in Bangladesh is going through a kind of all-pervasive fear—where even the slightest deviation from a mindset imposed by certain groups carries the risk of being attacked.
Interim Government Set to Introduce Another Black Law
A new “Broadcasting Ordinance, 2026” is being fast-tracked during the tenure of the interim government. According to the draft law prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, trials for broadcasting-related offences must be completed within just 90 working days, and for this purpose, one or more “Broadcasting Tribunals” will be established.
Lowest Number of Female Candidates in a Decade and a Half
In Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, women remain severely underrepresented, with only 65 female candidates around 3.5 percent contesting despite women making up nearly half of the electorate, highlighting persistent gender bias within political party nominations and the absence of enforceable legal safeguards.
The Language Movement Month Begins in a Different Atmosphere, Without the Book Fair Spirit
February has begun the month of the Bengali Language Movement. However, this time the beginning of February is different. Breaking a long-standing tradition, the “Amar Ekushey Book Fair” is not starting on the first day of the language month. Due to the national parliamentary elections, the book fair is not being inaugurated at its scheduled time this year.