The media in Bangladesh has faced significant violence since the outbreak of unrest during the university students' movement, said the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
"The IFJ expresses deep concern over police investigations into 28 journalists, particularly following the extreme violence against Bangladesh's media community. Authorities must ensure that any investigations are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with due process," it said in a media release on Monday (9 September).
On 4 September, at least 28 journalists were among 109 individuals from Chattogram accused in a case that includes charges of abduction, assault, and the dissemination of misinformation in connection with recent protests across Bangladesh.
Hasina Mamtaz, a teacher at a girls' high school in Mohara, Chattogram, lodged the case with the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
The court has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation's Chittagong Metropolitan Unit to carry out an inquiry into the allegations. Mamtaz claims that the journalists involved published false and misleading reports, distorting the actual events of the student movement rather than delivering impartial coverage.
On 5 September, leaders of eight journalist organisations issued a joint statement addressing the case. They argued that the filing was part of a broader attempt to discredit the press and called for the immediate removal of the journalists' names from the charges, condemning the inclusion of media professionals as a form of harassment.
At least four journalists have been killed, while numerous others have been attacked, injured, or harassed.
The Bangladesh Media Safety Forum (BMSF) voiced its concern, stating: "BMSF is continuously protesting strongly the mass case made against the journalist community and leaders. BMSF demands that the interim government take steps to ensure fair investigations in all cases. We believe that journalists are being criminalised in Bangladesh, and this must be stopped immediately."
