How serious is the BNP government about press freedom?

It is concerning that Bangladesh’s score in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index ranks 152nd out of 180 countries, slipping three notches from the previous year. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which published the annual index, has noted that journalists still face major risks, particularly from draconian laws inherited from the past. Previously, at least 296 journalists and media managers were entangled in cases linked to the July uprising as of November 1, 2025. The culture of impunity for violence against journalists, which was blatant during the 2009-2024 period, still remains a matter of concern. Therefore, on this World Press Freedom Day, and with a new elected government in power, there are justified expectations that the press will be freed from previous shackles.

Over the years, we have seen how laws have been weaponised against journalists. During the interim government, the notorious Cyber Security Act, 2023 was scrapped and replaced by the Cyber Protection Ordinance, with the promise that cases filed over freedom of speech would be dismissed. In fact, many individuals accused under the act were released on bail. However, although the ordinance eliminated some repressive clauses, it retained sections that allow police to arbitrarily detain individuals and seize and search their computers and other devices. Another section allows content to be blocked if it is deemed contrary to “national unity” or as “hurting” religious sentiments. The BNP government passed the Cyber Protection Act, which adopts the Cyber Protection Ordinance wholesale, and still criminalises the “hurting” of religious sentiments. This is a fundamental violation of freedom of speech.

Surveillance is also another major obstacle to media freedom. The home ministry has decided to allow the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC) to continue operating for another year, even though the interim administration had moved to abolish this much-criticised surveillance agency used by the Sheikh Hasina government to spy on and target citizens. The NTMC is supposed to be abolished and replaced with a new oversight body under the new Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2026. However, it can still carry out surveillance with minimal restraint, without adequate oversight. One of the clauses in the law allows for interception of phone calls and internet-based messages on grounds of “national security” or “emergency,” without the need for a court order. For investigative journalism in particular, which heavily relies on confidential sources, this may spell disaster.

The prime minister recently assured that his government will stand by press freedom, but as long as such clauses remain that allow scope for misuse, journalists will continue to face threats. If the government is serious about its commitment to democracy, it must protect press freedom by scrapping such provisions and dismissing all false cases against journalists. For the same reason, the government must also ensure that the masterminds and perpetrators of the December 2025 attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which had endangered the lives of close to 30 journalists and staff members of The Daily Star, are brought to justice.