Media houses across South Asia are facing mounting pressure from political control, economic constraints, and shrinking democratic space, speakers said at the Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, warning that growing self-censorship and weakening institutional safeguards are threatening press freedom across the region.
During the second plenary session of the conference, editors, senior journalists, and media experts said the crisis facing the press in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries reflects deeper structural problems linked to governance, political culture, and accountability.
Speaking at the session titled “Politico-Governance Ecosystem and Free Media”, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said countries that perform well in press freedom, governance, and rule of law are also more successful in controlling corruption and sustaining democratic practices.
He said Bangladesh’s “winner-takes-all” political culture has narrowed democratic space and enabled excessive control by administrative and security institutions.
“Various tools and structures are being used to suppress dissent, while concentration of power and limited accountability are shrinking media freedom,” he said.
The session was moderated by The Business Standard Executive Editor Shakhawat Liton and featured Dawn Editor Zaffar Abbas from Pakistan, The Daily Star Consulting Editor Kamal Ahmed, former BBC journalist Shakil Anwar, and Samakal Editor Shahed Mohammad Ali.
Zaffar Abbas said the situation in Bangladesh closely mirrors Pakistan’s reality, adding that most South Asian countries are experiencing similar political and media crises.
“No government in South Asia truly accepts criticism from the media as a right,” he said. “Our job is not to praise governments but to highlight their failures and wrong policies.”
He also said media outlets in the region often overlook marginalised communities and minorities while focusing heavily on political conflicts and urban-centred events.
Kamal Ahmed said the filing of five cases against a journalist in Khagrachhari in a single day reflected the growing pressure on journalists in the region.
“Although democracy is often discussed, in reality, the ‘voice of others’ is being ignored, and majoritarian dominance is being established,” he said.
Kamal Ahmed also raised concerns over media ownership, political influence, and declining public trust.
“The media can only remain truly independent if it becomes financially self-reliant,” he said.
Criticising the Press Council, he said the institution had failed to effectively protect press freedom and had gradually become politically controlled.
Former BBC journalist Shakil Anwar stressed the importance of professional responsibility and public trust in journalism.
“Public trust and support are the media’s greatest strength,” he said.
He also pointed to growing global challenges to media credibility, citing the use of the term “fake news” during the Trump administration in the United States to undermine mainstream media.
“Even countries once seen as examples of press freedom are now witnessing a decline in trust,” he said.
Shakil Anwar said strong parliamentary democracy, an effective multi-party system, and representative institutions are essential for safeguarding media freedom.
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s media history, he said the period between 1991 and 2006 was the most favourable for journalism because a functioning parliamentary democratic system existed at the time.
Shahed Ali warned that political polarisation is increasingly influencing journalism.
“Many journalists covering political beats begin aligning themselves with political camps. Some become BNP-leaning, others Awami League-leaning,” he said. “The only way out is professional journalism.”
He said journalists must possess a deeper understanding of constitutional law, governance systems, and parliamentary procedures rather than relying solely on political statements.
The conference also hosted a thematic session on self-regulation, professional oversight, and accountability in the media sector.
International media law expert Joan Barata said a balanced combination of state regulation and media self-regulation is the most effective framework.
“Regulatory bodies must remain free from political influence and operate through transparent processes,” he said.
He added that defining ethical standards is the responsibility of journalists themselves, not the state, and recommended that every media organisation establish internal grievance redress mechanisms.
Times Media Limited Managing Director AK Azad said journalists in Bangladesh cannot work with full independence because of business obligations, staff security concerns, and political pressure.
He said investigative journalism frequently faces interference from influential groups through owners, administrative channels or political actors, often forcing journalists into self-censorship.
