Declining press freedom concerning
The state of press freedom around the world, as depicted in a report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), is gravely concerning. Per the report, global press freedoms have significantly declined between 2019 and 2024, reaching their lowest level in 50 years. Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and Myanmar are the worst affected, while South Korea is ranked fourth due to increased government-led defamation lawsuits and raids targeting journalists. The IDEA secretary-general has rightly voiced alarm over this sharp deterioration in a key indicator of democratic health. According to the think tank, governments are increasingly resorting to coercive measures to control the media, which is a worrying development.
Although Bangladesh's press freedom has improved slightly—from 165th to 149th position—according to this year's World Press Freedom Index, the situation in the country is still classified as "very serious." During the 15-plus years of the Awami League's rule, journalists faced severe harassment and violence and media freedom was heavily curtailed. Unfortunately, that atmosphere of fear and insecurity still persists even after the AL's fall. Journalists continue to be targeted and assaulted across the country. According to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), incidents of violence targeting journalists surged in August this year, doubling from the previous month. One journalist was killed and another brutally attacked while carrying out their professional duties.
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Journalists are also being targeted by violent mobs in Bangladesh. The recent attack on speakers at a roundtable inside Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) by a mob is a case in point, where instead of the attackers, journalist Monjurul Alam Panna was detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Legal harassment of journalists continues even after the fall of the fascist government, with 266 journalists implicated after August 5, 2024. The entire situation exposes the current government's failure to ensure the safety of journalists. We urge the government to thoroughly investigate all incidents of violence against journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice. Likewise, legal harassment of journalists must come to an end. The government must also implement the recommendations made by the Media Reform Commission to improve the overall state of journalists and press freedom in the country.
We also urge the world leaders to work on improving the state of press freedom in their respective countries. Media outlets must be given the space to work independently so they can speak truth to power. We must remember that to build and maintain a functioning democracy anywhere in the world, ensuring press freedom and protecting journalists are essential.
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