This document discusses challenges to journalist safety in Bangladesh and interventions to address the issue. It notes that journalists in Bangladesh face various threats including arrest, lawsuits, killings, attacks, and intimidation. The types of attacks range from minor assaults to abduction and death threats. Ownership of media houses by politically connected business interests and self-censorship of journalists are challenges. The Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) advocates for journalist safety and works with the government on training workshops, observing international days related to press freedom, and curriculum development to increase safety and address impunity.

1. Journalist
Safety for Regional
and Local Media
in Bangladesh
AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio
and Communication(BNNRC)
www.bnnrc.net

2. Media freedom in Bangladesh
Media infrastructure :
- Media plurality: electronic media ( State, Private, Community & Social)
- Media plurality: print media (Private)
Legal impediments faced by Journalists:
- Journalists arrested
- Journalists sued
Environment for media performance
- Journalists Killed
- Journalists threatened
- Journalists attacked
- Journalists injured
- Journalists assaulted

3. Frequency of different types of
attacks against Journalists
- Killing
- Serious bodily injury
- Minor Assaults Threat/Intimidation
- Arrest/Police Remand
- Abduction
- Contempt of Court Defamation Case (Criminal)
- Destruction of equipment
- Gender based attacks
- Digital Threat

4. Frequency of different types of
attacks
• Torture/Harassment/Threat
• Death Threat
• Terrorist and unanimous by phone
• Case file against published news
• Torture by Terrorist/attack/threat/harassment/bomb
thrown
• Attack/Torture/ Harassment by Political parties

5. Journalism in Bangladesh
Safety & Security : Challenges
Owners of Media houses are centered to their own vested interest (
Multi Business Houses)
Journalist are biased by self-censorship
Journalist Association/Union link with Political Party
Lack of Media literacy increases risk for Journalist
Lack of awareness Law Enforcement Agencies
(LEA)
Lack of awareness

6. Government Response:
The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the
freedom of speech and expression under Article
39.
- There is no scope for impunity for the charge of
such killings/attacked
- Meanwhile police have arrested a number of
suspects in the killings
- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has condemned the
attacks.
- High-ranking police officials are saying that the
killers of the journalist will be brought under the
law.

7. BNNRC Intervention
National Consultation on Journalist Safety & Security
In Collaboration with Ministry of Information (Proposed)
Organized 3 Days In-house training workshop on Journalist Safety
& Security March 2016
Observed
1. World Radio Day- 13 February,
2. World Press Freedom Day- 3rd May,
3. International day for The Universal Access to
Information- 28 September and
4. International Day to End Impunity – 2 November in line
with Journalist Safety & Security
5. Translate in Bangla – UN PLAN OF ACTION ON THE
SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS AND THE ISSUE OF IMPUNITY
(2012) and IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
6. Participated in UNESCO International Conference “News
organizations standing up for the safety of media professionals” as
speaker 5 February 2016

8. BNNRC Intervention
Prepared and Sent Bangladesh CSO Report
Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on Strengthening the Implementation of the UN
Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity Palais des
Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 29 June 2017
Lobby and advocacy with Ministry of Information for providing report to UNESCO
about Bangladesh situation
Lobby and advocacy with Ministry of Information for including equipment fund in
Journalist Welfare Trust Fund
Lobby and advocacy with University Grant Commission (UGC) and Department Mass
Communication of Universities and Journalism for including Safety of Journalists and
the Issue of Impunity in curriculum.
Lobby and advocacy with Universities / UGC for opening University Campus
Radio and TV
Participated in stand up for journalists and justice in line with the International Day to
End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. November 2 , 2016
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