The interim government’s failure to shield press freedom stands exposed, as arrests, censorship, and intimidation of journalists during its tenure underscored the deep divide between lofty promises and harsh realities.
According to a report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), press freedom worldwide has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years. The RSF index placed Bangladesh lower in global rankings and highlighting the erosion of media rights under interim rule.
Based on data from January to December 2025, Bangladesh ranked 152nd among 180 countries — three places lower than the previous year’s position of 149.
Information rights activist Ruhi Naz told Times of Bangladesh that the interim government’s positive claims about press freedom were not fully aligned with reality.
She argued that many statements about “press freedom” during that period were neither sustainable nor verifiable and did not match events on the ground. Past incidents of arrests, detentions, and pressure against journalists have been documented in various reports, she said, making it baseless to portray the interim period as a time of complete press freedom.
She noted that in the two months following recent political changes, she had not received reports of major new cases of harassment against journalists. The situation appeared to be continuing as before, without clear evidence of either significant deterioration or improvement.
Ruhi further said political statements made during the interim government often showed a tendency toward exaggeration, which could create confusion in assessing the situation.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s context, the RSF report said more than 20 percent of the country’s 17 crore people live below the poverty line, with limited access to mainstream media. It expressed concern that in the political transition following Sheikh Hasina’s fall, more than 130 journalists faced baseless cases, with serious charges such as “murder” and “crimes against humanity” brought against them, and at least five detained.
The report also noted journalism remains male‑dominated, with female journalists facing workplace harassment and hostile online campaigns. On the legal framework, RSF said Sheikh Hasina’s government introduced a Cyber Security Act modeled on the controversial Digital Security Act.
This repressive law allowed law enforcement agencies to conduct searches, arrests, equipment seizures, and breaches of source confidentiality without warrants. Editors were often forced into self‑censorship, while media outlets owned by a handful of businessmen were used as tools of influence and profit, prioritising government ties over editorial independence.
Analysts dispute interim govt’s claims
Despite repeated assertions by the interim government about press freedom, analysts saw a mismatch with reality.
Then Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said at a Development Media Forum event on 12 January 2025, that Bangladesh was enjoying “unprecedented media freedom” and that the government had not used repressive laws to silence people.
On 5 July, he claimed the government had made “no interference whatsoever” in media freedom and cited repeal of the Digital Security Act as a major achievement. He also said a Journalist Protection Act was under consideration, which remained pending five months later.
Most recently, on 9 February 2026, just before handing over power, he described 18 months of media freedom as the interim government’s “biggest reform.”
In practice, however, media workers continued to face pressure and uncertainty. Concerns remained over arrests, prolonged denial of bail, ownership changes, and widespread self‑censorship. Journalists pointed to repeated wage board announcements without implementation, economic insecurity, lack of job stability, and professional safety risks.
Asked why Bangladesh nevertheless slipped three places in the global press freedom index, Alam told Times he was no longer in government and would not comment.
Akbar Sumon, a senior journalist at a private outlet, said that during the interim period, as under the previous government, journalists adopting critical positions faced “mob” pressure and social attacks. He added that opportunities for structural reform were not utilized, with commissions limited to drafting proposals.
Independent environments like those of the BBC or Al Jazeera were not created in Bangladesh. Weak laws, political pressure, and structural constraints, he said, left field‑level journalists vulnerable to harassment.
Journalists face cases, detention, and insecurity
Abu Saleh Akon, president of Dhaka Reporters Unity, said press freedom in Bangladesh largely depends on media owners. Over the past 15 years, some owners benefited by flattering the government, but after the transition many faced lawsuits or exile, he added.
He said that during the interim period, media institutions practiced “self‑censorship” to avoid accountability and ensure security. He expressed hope that the elected government will guarantee freedom of expression.
Sajjad Khan Topu, president of Dhaka Journalists Union, described the current situation as a “fearful environment.” He said that even during the interim government, murder cases were filed against journalists, and many remained in prison without trial. Despite one and a half to two years passing, investigations had not been completed and bail was not granted.
“Alongside this, media takeovers, job dismissals, cancellation of press club memberships and accreditation cards have narrowed the space for independent journalism,” he said.
On economic security, he noted that the wage board has not been effectively implemented. In the television sector, the absence of a fixed salary structure has led to extreme inequality. Field‑level journalists have neither job protection nor legal safeguards. He added that when owners undermine editorial independence, journalists’ protection also weakens.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and RSF expressed deep concern over the slow pace of cases and repeated denial of bail since 5 August. According to their data, several leading journalists are facing long‑term imprisonment, multiple cases, and medical crises.
Vorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta along with Ekattor TV editor Mozammel Haque Babu was detained on 16 September 2024, from the Mymensingh border area and remained in jail since then. Reports say he faces at least six murder cases. Allegations claim he suffered a stroke in prison, but his family was not immediately informed, and he did not receive necessary treatment.
Former chief reporter Farzana Rupa and former news chief Shakil Ahmed were detained at the airport on 21 August. Rupa faces nine murder cases and Shakil eight.
In Rupa’s case, bail applications could not be filed for five cases due to missing FIRs. She was reportedly kept in a “condemnation cell” for two weeks last November. Lawyers said bail applications for them have been rejected more than 30 times.
Manjurul Alam Panna was arrested under the Anti‑Terrorism Act on 28 August 2025, after delivering a speech at Dhaka Reporters Unity. He was granted bail in November after 75 days in prison.
Defense lawyer Shyamal Kanti Sarkar said that even after nearly 600 days, charge sheets had not been filed in many cases, violating the Code of Criminal Procedure. He argued that journalists are being detained for long periods based on general allegations, disrupting the normal pace of justice.
Considering the situation, CPJ on 27 April 2026, sent a letter to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Law calling for the release of detained journalists. Earlier, on 3 March, the Commonwealth Journalists Association said, “dozens of journalists have been imprisoned for more than a year in baseless cases,” raising questions about the democratic environment and the effectiveness of the justice system.
