28 Journalists Attacked or Harassed in October, One Killed: Bangladesh Association of Journalists Report

At least 28 journalists in Bangladesh faced various forms of abuse in October. One of them was killed, 18 suffered physical attacks and injuries, and 9 faced legal harassment and threats. The figures come from the October report of the Bangladesh Association of Journalists (BAJ), an organisation working for journalists' rights; the organisation published the report in a press release on Monday.

The report said the working environment for the country's journalists in October was extremely worrying and risky. While performing their professional duties, journalists in various places faced physical attacks, arrest, legal harassment, murder and death threats. The information was collected from news published in various media outlets in the country and from the organisation's own sources, the report said.

According to the report, journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir was killed in an attack by two unidentified gunmen who arrived on a motorcycle while he was at a tea stall in Telnajia village of Durgapur upazila in Netrokona. Colleagues claim he was shot at close range because of his investigative writing on various social and political irregularities and corruption.

The report said at least 18 journalists were injured at the hands of political leaders and activists and terrorists in October. A notable incident occurred at Rajshahi University, where four journalists were injured in an attack by leaders and activists of the university unit of Chhatra Dal.

According to the allegations, led by a Chhatra Dal leader, activists coming from a procession carrying ramdas, machetes, hockey sticks and bats beat journalists who had gone to film the weapons. One journalist's head was split open. Other journalists who came forward to rescue the injured were also threatened with death at the time.

In addition, a journalist was allegedly abducted in Tongi, Gazipur. The journalist claims that 40 to 50 people arriving on motorcycles blindfolded him and took him away, then beat him with local weapons and demanded Tk 1 crore in extortion. He also alleged that he was forcibly married to a woman and a nude video was recorded; he was threatened that the video would be spread if he published news about drugs in the Mazar slum. He was left behind after he lost consciousness at one point.

The report said at least 9 journalists faced legal harassment and threats in October. Among them, two journalists were attacked while collecting news of irregularities at Jhenaidah College. The journalists alleged that outsiders, backed by the principal, beat them with rods to cover up irregularities in the college's brick sales; they were later sent to jail in a false case. Their families claim they were framed in a planned way over publishing news of DB police involvement with drugs.

In addition, a doctor at Sreemangal Upazila Health Complex in Moulvibazar has filed a case against two journalists under the Cyber Security Act at the Sylhet Cyber Security Court. And a journalist received death threats for publishing an investigative report on allegations of perverted sexual acts with dead women at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College morgue; in the general diary (GD) he filed, a former assistant of the morgue was named as the person who threatened him. According to the allegation, the man intimidated him by phone and sent a message saying he would 'see him in court'.

BAJ considers these incidents of attacks and legal harassment against journalists an ominous sign for free media. According to the organisation, attempts to silence journalists by using political power or muscle are damaging the democratic environment.

BAJ has demanded an immediate fair investigation of every incident, exemplary punishment of those responsible, and ensuring journalists' professional safety.