Journalists Brace for 'Bad Days' in Bangladesh as Sheikh Hasina Continues Reign
Violence against journalists on election day paints grim picture for press freedom ahead
By Rabia Mushtaq
January 31, 2024
Journalists in Bangladesh protest against the draconian digital security laws. — Reuters/File
“If we criticize the regime, then she (Sheikh Hasina) will impose systematic laws to stop journalists, critics, and the civil society, as well as harass them,” Muktadir Rashid, a New Age correspondent who was attacked on the day of elections, tells the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom in the wake of Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections on January 7, 2024.
Journalists in the country are bracing for a challenging period under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, which secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive term. The Awami League, led by Hasina, clinched nearly 75% of the seats amid a controversial electoral process marked by the boycott of several opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition.
“If we criticize the regime, then she (Sheikh Hasina) will impose systematic laws to stop journalists, critics, and the civil society, as well as harass them”
The 2024 elections, pivotal in the country's history since its 1971 independence from Pakistan, were not just a political turning point but also a moment of reckoning for press freedom. The election period saw rampant protests, sporadic violence, and a widespread crackdown on opposition activists, leading to the detention of tens of thousands. This political turmoil has raised serious questions about the electoral process's transparency and the legitimacy of its outcome.
Press freedom has been a particularly acute casualty in these times of political upheaval. Instances of journalists being targeted, harassed, and discriminated against, especially women in the field, have become alarmingly regular. The United States State Department expressed concerns over the reported irregularities and violence during the elections, casting doubts over the fairness and freedom of the electoral process.
Officials prepare documents before distributing ballot boxes to the voting centres as part of election preparation, a day ahead of the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 6, 2024. — Reuters
“During processions by the opposition parties, journalists were also attacked by activists and authorities. On January 7, they were harassed by the police and ruling party’s activists. The upcoming days are expected to be worse, so I don’t think it is safe to play the role of a journalist,” journalist and filmmaker Tanbirul Miraj Ripon tells CFWIJ.
New Age correspondents Muktadir Rashid Romeo and photojournalist Sourav Laskar were among those threatened.
Daily Star journalists were threatened and illegally confined.
Nasir Uz Zaman and Tanzil Rahaman faced hostility while covering the rigging of votes in Dhaka.
Journalists working for the Daily Star, including Arafat Rahaman, Dipan Nandy, and Dhaka University correspondent Sirajul Islam Rubel, faced confinement and threats.
The website of the Daily Manab Zamin, a prominent newspaper known for their critical political coverage, went black, while staff faced connectivity issues and restricted access. The site was swiftly restored, but readers had trouble accessing it throughout the day.
“I don’t think the situation will improve in the coming days,” Rashid tells CFWIJ. “But the person or the authorities behind it or those who are instrumental in the decision-making or arranging a free press environment are becoming more confident in stifling the freedom of expression and freedom of the press in the coming days,” he said, emphasizing the increasing control of newspapers and television as “mouthpieces for the ruling party,” which has yet again gained power in the country.
“These are the things that journalists nowadays have to deal with, and whenever they try to report on those issues, they are being targeted or being incarcerated in the jail or are being hunted or being prosecuted”
“These are the things that journalists nowadays have to deal with, and whenever they try to report on those issues they are being targeted or being incarcerated in the jail or are being hunted or being prosecuted,” he maintained.
Rashid underscored the prevalent issue of self-censorship in the community. “I, too, have to think twice before I post anything on social media or write anything for a newspaper or any other platform.”
Rashid, while discussing the challenges faced by women journalists, highlighted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to report freely.
“We have seen a number of female journalists being prosecuted for their reporting. Many others had to quit their jobs or have flown to different countries for their higher studies or better journalism scope,” he said, questioning whether they could ever get a chance to work in a conducive environment, irrespective of their gender, religion, race, or political background.
A man reads a newspaper the morning after Bangladesh Awami League won the 12th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 8, 2024. — Reuters
Ripon noted that while their numbers are limited, the obstacles women journalists encounter on a daily basis in reporting freely are abundant.
“They don’t send them to an assignment. Even if they go to cover stories of climate, outside of Dhaka, they have to face many issues. They have to provide answers to the authorities and their offices,” he said, highlighting that the main concern is the police who threaten the journalists.
“I, too, have to think twice before I post anything on social media or write anything for a newspaper or any other platform.”
In 2023, the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom recorded three instances of women journalists being subjected to threats, intimidation, and legal harassment in the country. These included Fara Hossain, Rozina Islam, and Adhora Yeasmein.
In 2021, CFWIJ documented cases against Islam — who was targeted with detention, state oppression, and legal harassment — while Afroza Sarkar was subjected to physical assault. Mousumi Acharya, Laily Begum, and Farhana Nila were targeted through sexual and workplace harassment in 2020. State repression and weaponization of laws that restrict free speech have also remained a regular trend to shut down the voice of journalists in the country.
A student holds a placard of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as they celebrate the formation day of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League, at the University of Dhaka, ahead of the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 4, 2024. — Reuters
“It is like very bad days are waiting for us,” Ripon says, adding that journalists are targeted for exposing the truth and what’s really happening in Bangladesh.
“It is like very bad days are waiting for us.”
Referring to Sheikh Hasina as an “autocrat woman,” Ripon lamented the manipulation of state machinery by her party in a bid to secure power. “Now they are helping the authority, the one lady, to occupy power. I don’t think it’s a good message for journalists to practice journalism and press freedom.”
“They know very well that the authorities won’t be questioned for attacking journalists; in fact, they would get promotions after beating and harassing journalists,” she added.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.