162 journalists attacked, threatened or harassed in three months: MID

At least 162 journalists faced physical attacks, threats, intimidation and legal harassment in 112 separate incidents across the country over the past three months, according to a monitoring report by the Media Initiative for Development (MID).

The report, released Friday (October 2), said August recorded the highest level of violence against journalists during the July-September period. Fifty journalists were affected in 39 incidents in July, while the figure rose to 67 journalists in 44 incidents in August. The number of incidents increased 12.8% from July to August.

The situation eased in September, with 45 journalists affected in 29 incidents. Compared with August, the number of incidents fell 34.1%, while the number of affected journalists dropped 32.8%, the report said.

Physical assaults and death threats were among the most common forms of intimidation. Death threats accounted for 48.7% of incidents in July, while physical attacks made up 63.6% of cases in August. In September, both categories accounted for 37.9% each. The three-month period also included shootings, attacks on homes and offices, lawsuits and abductions, according to MID.

Field-level and district-based print journalists were the most affected. Of the 162 journalists, 89 worked for daily newspapers, 53 for television channels and 20 for online outlets. Incidents were reported in more than 30 districts, with Dhaka, Chattogram, Sirajganj, Barishal and Sylhet among the areas recording relatively higher numbers.

The report also highlighted limited legal follow-up. General diaries were filed in 46.2% of incidents in July and 54.5% in August, while at least 41.4% of September incidents saw no legal action.

MID Executive Director Rashedul Hasan called for prompt and impartial investigations and accountability, saying attacks on journalists undermine press freedom and the public’s right to information.