Call for swift support system to protect free speech

Freedom of expression, a key pillar of democracy, remains difficult to exercise safely both online and offline in Bangladesh, particularly for journalists, human rights defenders, women, young people and ordinary citizens, speakers said.

They stressed the need for an integrated referral mechanism to provide prompt support to journalists and rights defenders facing threats, harassment or other forms of intimidation.

The observations came at a seminar titled “Referral Pathway for Journalists and Human Rights Defenders in Bangladesh” at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Monday.

Plan International Bangladesh and Manusher Jonno Foundation jointly organised the seminar under the Freedom of Expression for Digital Democracy project, funded by the European Union.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon said that alongside state restrictions, concentrated media ownership, online polarisation and artificial intelligence were creating new challenges to freedom of expression.

The study proposed a central national referral hub, community-based networks and district- and divisional-level coordination mechanisms to address these challenges.

Faruk Wasif, director general of the Press Institute Bangladesh, said social media had widened opportunities for people to express their views but also heightened risks of misinformation, hate speech, online harassment and misuse of AI.

He said the rights and safety of ordinary social media users, as well as journalists and human rights defenders, must be protected, while media literacy should also be strengthened.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said laws and policies alone were not enough and their effective implementation must be ensured.

Freedom of expression is a right not only of journalists but also of human rights defenders and ordinary citizens, she said, stressing the need to create a safe environment for people to speak out.