World Press Freedom Day was observed across the country on Sunday through various programmes including rallies and discussions organised by journalist bodies, human rights organisations, and political and social groups.
At a discussion jointly organised by the Editors' Council and the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at the CIRDAP auditorium, Editors' Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir called for a stronger cooperation between the government and journalists to improve democratic media practice. He urged the political parties to avoid duplicity in responsible journalism.
He said that mutual trust and dialogue were essential to safeguard press freedom and accountability.
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan called for an independent media commission, saying, "Of course, a media commission is needed. Because the government is actually a party here… the government itself commits crimes… such an institution is necessary."
He disclosed that an advisory committee would be formed of journalists, editors, owners, and experts.
Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) demanded an end to harassment of journalists. Its Executive Director Ijazul Islam said 1,034 journalists faced torture in 523 incidents from September 2024 to April 2026, based on data from 16 media outlets and fact finding reports.
HRSS said 862 journalists were affected in 434 incidents up to the 13th National Parliament elections, including 6 killed, 402 injured, 94 humiliated, and 105 threatened. Since the election, 172 journalists were targeted in 89 incidents. It also said Bangladesh ranked 152nd of 180 in the RSF Press Freedom Index, calling for legal and financial protection and institutional reform.
The Journalists' Front Against Oppression demanded withdrawal of cases and release of detained journalists, alleging over 500 murder cases against journalists, 50 arrests, 13 killings, around 1,200 dismissals, cancellation of 168 accreditations, suspension of over 700 memberships, travel bans on over 50 journalists, and freezing of 50 bank accounts since 5 August 2024. It also cited Bangladesh's fall to 152nd in the 2026 RSF index.
The Rural Journalists Foundation (RJF) held a procession and discussion at the National Press Club, calling for stronger protection.
Speakers said journalists face ongoing harassment and successive governments failed to ensure safety, while key demands including a Journalist Protection Act and recruitment policy remain unimplemented.
They urged a legal and institutional framework ensuring journalists' constitutional rights to work freely.
