Amid unprecedented levels of suppression, legal hurdles, and personal risks, journalists in Bangladesh stood firm against the fascist government of Sheikh Hasina during the July uprising.

The stories of the challenges they faced, and the courage with which they overcame them, serve as testaments to the hope we still cling to — the hope that Bangladesh can have a better, brighter future as a true democracy.

The tools of suppression and oppression used by the previous government to silence independent media were intensified during the mass movement. Feeling threatened by the critical stance of a large portion of journalists, the government, like any fascist regime, tried to dictate what the media could publish, even threatening to halt broadcasts.

At around 8:30 p.m. on July 18, the nation experienced a total internet blackout, with mobile data and broadband services becoming unavailable. During this period, journalists worked tirelessly to collect news and share information, as recounted during a discussion titled "Blackout Chronicles: How Journalists and Activists Navigated the Blackout," organised by The Daily Star on December 4, 2024.

Shamima Sultana, senior reporter at Channel 24, mentioned how they were forced to revert to analog journalism methods. They gathered information from students and protesters via texts and calls, despite frequent disruptions. Alternative, expensive, and rare communication methods, such as cable connections, were used to collect material from outside Dhaka.

"The government was never fully successful in suppressing us because we resorted to all kinds of alternatives," she said.

The journalist, still traumatised from being brutally beaten by a mob on August 4 at Shahbagh, shared:

"Our channel never fully compromised. There was pressure on us, but we always tried to sneak in the real news during bulletins and other times."

She and her colleagues also sent information and footage of atrocities to international media outlets like the BBC, which faced less direct pressure.

"We did that because our house was at risk of being shut down if we ran such stories, but the news still had to be out there," she added.

Tanvir Chowdhury, a broadcast journalist at Al Jazeera, explained how local media provided tips and information that international outlets relied upon. While international media adopted certain safety measures, local journalists bore severe risks.

"Due to our media brand, we knew the police or other forces would not harm us, but groups like the BCL could, and they would blame the students," he said.

As a video journalist, sending footage was a top priority for him, but the government severely hindered this by cutting off internet access. Apart from using Al Jazeera's satellite system — which was occasionally jammed by security forces — he relied on the local AFP office for help. Shafiqul Alam, the AFP bureau chief at the time (and now press secretary to the Chief Advisor), along with his team, provided alternate internet access and opened their office to accommodate both international and local journalists.

"It was a top-secret operation back then. If it had been discovered, the office would have faced a severe crackdown," he said with a smile, adding that it can now be shared openly.

Another major challenge journalists faced during the movement was the spread of misinformation and disinformation that followed the restoration of internet access. The government actively downplayed the real numbers of protesters and casualties. Hospitals were instructed not to disclose information about injured individuals or bodies brought in.

"We were not getting any info from the government, so we had to call individual hospitals, which was time-consuming. But after July 18, even hospital directors stopped disclosing details," said Qadaruddin Shishir, Fact Check Editor at AFP.

Following the internet blackout, social media saw a flood of disinformation campaigns led by pro-government forces. This significantly increased the workload of the AFP Fact Check department.

The AFP office in Dhaka became known as "Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra 2" among journalists, as it was the only place with internet access during the five-day blackout. The office was opened to both local and international journalists with permission from AFP headquarters, Shishir noted.

For many young journalists, the scale of confrontation with authorities was a novel experience.

"We were on the field and had to decide our course of action instantly, depending on how the situation escalated," said Saim Bin Mujib, multimedia journalist at The Daily Star, about covering news in such volatile conditions.

On July 16, when clashes in Dhaka between protesters, police, and government supporters continued for hours, journalists found themselves mediating.

"We positioned ourselves between the opposing sides and told the pro-government forces, 'The students want to retreat now. Please do not attack,'" Saim recounted, describing an experience unlike any other in his career.

The unprecedented internet blackout posed significant challenges for new media journalists.

"We were left with no means to reach the people — it felt like an existential crisis," said Saim, adding that his team prepared footage and reports in advance to release the truth as soon as internet access was restored.

Journalists are assets to society when they remain unbiased. While some media outlets misused their platforms to propagate the fascist agenda of the Hasina government, many journalists upheld the principles of journalism, risking their jobs, health, and lives during one of the nation's most critical moments.

We mourn the loss of journalists Hasan Mehedi, Shakil Hossain, Abu Taher Md Turab, Tahir Jaman Priyo, and Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, who sacrificed their lives to reveal the atrocities committed by the Hasina regime.

It is now imperative for the government and political parties to uphold the fourth pillar of democracy by protecting media houses and journalists from partisan pressures.

Recommendations

1.    Introduce a comprehensive security protocol based on international standards to prevent attacks on journalists in the line of duty.

2.   Strengthen legal protections to safeguard press freedom and freedom of expression.

3.   Ensure a safe working environment for journalists, free from political or partisan interference.

4.   Provide specialised training to help journalists combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns effectively.

5.   Implement measures to support journalists affected by PTSD and psychological distress.

Sifat Afrin Shams is a journalist and former sub-editor at The Daily Star.