Dhaka, Dec 19 — The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a global partnership of more than 50 countries from six continents committed to promoting press freedom and journalist safety, has strongly condemned the recent attacks on journalists, editors and media organisations across Bangladesh. The condemnation comes amid a wave of violence targeting media houses following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha.
In a joint statement shared by several diplomatic missions in Dhaka, including the German Embassy, member countries of the coalition — such as Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom — described the attacks as “unacceptable” and warned that such acts of violence and intimidation strike at the very core of press freedom and the public’s right to be informed.
The Media Freedom Coalition works worldwide to safeguard journalists, uphold freedom of expression and ensure accountability for those who seek to silence the media. Emphasising the seriousness of the situation in Bangladesh, the coalition called on authorities to take urgent steps to protect media professionals and ensure justice.
“We call for the safety of all media professionals to be ensured and for swift, impartial investigations so that those responsible are held to account. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear. Protecting them is essential to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and an open, informed society,” the statement said.
The criticism follows a series of violent incidents targeting major media outlets in Dhaka. Hours after news of Hadi’s death emerged on Thursday night, an angry mob set fire to the building of a leading Bangladeshi newspaper in the Karwan Bazar area early Friday morning. Six firefighting units were deployed to bring the blaze under control. During the incident, several journalists and staff members were reportedly trapped inside the building, heightening fears over their safety. Bangladesh Army personnel were later deployed to secure the area, while protesters continued to remain nearby.
In a parallel incident, another group of protesters marched from Shahbagh towards Karwan Bazar and surrounded the office of a prominent Bengali daily, staging a demonstration that quickly turned violent. Despite police presence, law enforcement personnel were unable to fully control the situation.
According to reports, the attacks began late Thursday night, with protesters armed with sticks and iron rods vandalising the office premises and smashing most of the window panes. Around midnight, a group allegedly entered the building and set fire to furniture and important documents on the street, the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reported. Journalists at the scene said several reporters and staff members remained trapped inside as tensions escalated.
Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp rise in violence and a worsening law and order situation under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, raising serious concerns about press freedom, public safety and the ability of journalists to work without fear or intimidation.
