"Continued threats of attacks on journalists and their families to forestall independent reporting on incidents involving government officials and community leaders cannot be tolerated," said Christopher Warren, president of the IFJ that represents over 500,000 journalists worldwide.

He also said the ongoing hostility towards journalists by political parties deprive them of their right to report independently which is completely unacceptable, said a press release.

"Those in positions of authority must respect the freedom of the press and should not condone or incite threats which are aimed to stifling the media," said Warren.

Seven journalists from different media organisations received death threats via post in Bagerhat on August 24, which warned them not to write against an MP.

Hasanul Qaiyum of the Manab Zamin, Ahad Haider of the Prothom Alo, Rob Molla of the Janmabhumi, Babul Sarder of the Janakantha, Nihar Saha of News Network of Bangladesh (NNB), Zakaria Mahmud of the Amar Desh and Azadul Huq of the Sangbad received separate threat letters.

Besides, Rifat Bin Taha, a journalist of the Janakantha, received a verbal death threat for his report on militants in Narail district.