The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has expressed deep concern regarding recent undesirable incidents surrounding the Daily Janakantha newspaper, along with broader issues concerning media freedom and journalists’ safety in the country.
The organisation also described as “regrettable” the picture of media and information freedom that has emerged from Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) latest report.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by NOAB President AK Azad, the association stated: “We firmly believed that with the mass uprising uniting the nation to establish a free, impartial and democratic society, fundamental rights like freedom of information, expression and media would be ensured. Unfortunately, these expectations remain unfulfilled over the past year.”
The NOAB statement highlighted: “We have observed with alarm that recently, attempts were made to create a ‘mob’ situation at Daily Janakantha to pressure its owners and enforce demands. Any staff-related financial disputes should be resolved through labor courts, while content-related complaints could have been addressed by the Bangladesh Press Council. Instead, unpleasant situations were created at the newspaper’s office and portal.”
Referring to TIB’s report documenting attacks on journalists, NOAB revealed that in the past year (August 2024-July 2025), 496 journalists faced harassment – including 266 made accused in cases related to the July mass uprising. Three journalists were killed while performing duties, at least 24 media professionals were removed from positions, while editors of 8 newspapers and news chiefs of 11 private TV channels lost their jobs.
Considering this situation, NOAB has demanded immediate government action to ensure media freedom for building a democratic society. The statement emphasized that the culture of threatening media owners through orchestrated ‘mobs’ must stop.
“Media security and freedom will strengthen democratic foundations,” NOAB asserted, adding its belief that ensuring these conditions remains possible.