Bangladesh, a nation once lauded for its resilience and democratic aspirations, is now witnessing one of the gravest assaults on press freedom in its history. In just 100 days, the caretaker government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad Yunus has overseen the systematic dismantling of journalism in the country, leaving hundreds of journalists jobless, incarcerated, or in hiding. The scale and swiftness of this repression are unprecedented, even for a nation long accustomed to challenges against its press.
Journalists in Bangladesh have never operated without peril. Successive regimes—whether civilian or military—have maintained an uneasy relationship with the media. Yet the current wave of crackdowns surpasses anything seen since the country’s independence in 1971. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 has unleashed a chain of events that has left the media reeling under relentless attacks.
Charlotte Jacquemart, a senior editor with Swiss Public Radio, captured the dire situation in her recent report for The Voice. “The interim government under Yunus is not in control,” Jacquemart writes. “The extreme Islamic forces within the government’s advisors are. And they are against everything that is liberal and secular.”
More than 300 journalists, primarily seasoned and respected professionals, now face trumped-up charges of murder. Jacquemart reports that many of these cases are absurdly fabricated. “Some journalists are accused of different murders that allegedly occurred at the same time in multiple locations,” she writes. “These cases have no basis in evidence and serve only to destroy the careers and lives of journalists.”
Among the most high-profile victims are journalist couple Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed. Arrested in late August at Dhaka airport as they attempted to travel to France, they were initially detained without charges. “All the murder cases were fabricated after their detention,” Jacquemart explains. “Despite the absence of evidence, they have spent three months in prison, separated from their minor children, their lives and careers in shambles.”
The interim government’s campaign against the press doesn’t stop at arrests. Travel bans have been imposed on journalists labeled as sympathizers of the previous regime. Bank accounts have been frozen, leaving many unable to access their own funds. Press cards for 167 journalists have been revoked, and 27 members of the National Press Club have been expelled.
Women journalists have been particularly targeted in this campaign of intimidation. Jacquemart describes scenes of mob violence in Dhaka: “Women journalists trying to cover protests are harassed and attacked. Mobs gather outside liberal newspapers like Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, demanding their closure. On one occasion, protesters slaughtered a cow in front of Prothom Alo’s offices, accusing it of being ‘pro-India.’”
Bangladesh’s current ranking of 165 out of 180 in the 2024 Press Freedom Index is expected to fall even further next year. The crackdown appears to be a calculated effort to silence dissent ahead of the next election, fueled by Islamic hardliners who have gained significant influence within the caretaker government. Jacquemart observes, “The Islamic movements, long waiting in the wings, have seized the moment of the August 5 coup. They are dismantling decades of progress toward secularism and silencing liberal voices.”
Even Yunus, the face of the interim government, seems unable—or unwilling—to stem the tide. In an interview with the Daily Star, Yunus admitted that the murder charges against journalists were “unfair” and “hasty.” Yet he offered no concrete plan to rectify the situation. Meanwhile, his press secretary called for a review of all journalistic work from the past 15 years to identify “fascist narratives.” Jacquemart sees this as a clear message: “If you are not with us, you are against us—and by definition, a fascist.”
The treatment of imprisoned journalists underscores the government’s intent to intimidate. While male journalists are typically held in single cells with basic furniture, female journalist Farzana Rupa has been confined to a crowded cell with 30 other women. “She sleeps on the floor, denied the minimal dignity afforded to her male counterparts,” Jacquemart writes. “Her suffering is meant as a warning to other female journalists: dissent will be punished.”
The broader societal implications are equally disturbing. Public spaces for women are shrinking as Islamic influence grows. Jacquemart notes, “Girls and women have largely disappeared from the streets of Dhaka. Many are harassed, prevented from attending school, or forced to adopt conservative dress codes. This would have been unthinkable just six months ago.”
The consequences of this repression extend beyond the media. The unity that briefly emerged among the military, police, and civil society to overthrow Sheikh Hasina is now fracturing. Jacquemart writes, “Many who supported the coup now express disillusionment with the outcome. They fear that Bangladesh is heading toward civil unrest, or worse, civil war.”
International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have called for the immediate release of detained journalists. However, the international community’s response has been muted, with little pressure placed on the Yunus government to halt its campaign against the press.
As Bangladesh teeters on the brink, Jacquemart issues a stark warning: “The suppression of press freedom under Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mohammad Yunus is proof that ideals can be hijacked by those who weaponize fear to crush dissent. Bangladesh’s fragile democracy is slipping into authoritarianism, and the world must not look away.”
The plight of Bangladesh’s journalists serves as a sobering reminder of how easily democratic principles can be undermined. The international community must act to support press freedom and prevent further erosion of rights in a country that once symbolized hope and resilience.
Published in The Voice, Charlotte Jacquemart’s report underscores the urgent need for global attention to this escalating crisis. The stakes couldn’t be higher—not just for Bangladesh but for the very principles of freedom and democracy.
Disclaimer: This article was originally written by Charlotte Jacquemart and published in The Voice. It has been reproduced here in Press Xpress for wider dissemination. The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Press Xpress.
