It’s been two years since the mass uprising that took place in Bangladesh in 2024. During the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina government, the state's control over the media, along with the harassment of journalists, the filing of lawsuits, arrest under controversial digital security laws, and imprisonment, was usual. Consequently, one of the key demands of the uprising included independent media, objective journalism, and freedom of expression. 

Following the student-led mass uprising of July–August 2024, the landscape of journalism in Bangladesh is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. New challenges have emerged, including professional hurdles, job losses, lawsuits, attacks, and imprisonment. Most recently, the shooting incident targeting several journalists in Khulna represents the most severe blow to independent journalism and the security of the journalists in post-July Bangladesh. 

Yet the reality that has emerged since the uprising is far more complicated. Journalists today face criminal prosecutions, mob intimidation, political polarization, economic uncertainty, and physical attacks. Investigative journalism has slowed, media organizations remain vulnerable to political and business interests, and many reporters continue to practice self-censorship. 

Now the question is no longer whether one political entity restricted press freedom. It is whether the country can finally build institutions that protect independent journalism regardless of who holds the power.

Little Has Changed

The July 2024 uprising appeared to offer a historic opportunity to reshape press freedom in Bangladesh. Many journalists believed Bangladesh was entering a new democratic chapter where critical reporting or people with differing opinions would no longer be treated as a threat to the state. One of the most controversial developments after the uprising has been the large number of criminal lawsuits against journalists. Human rights organizations report that hundreds of journalists have been named in criminal investigations, including cases involving murder and attempted murder related to the 2024 uprising violence. Hundreds of journalists have faced criminal charges, while more than 10 journalists remain in detention. This is the largest simultaneous crackdown on journalists in Bangladesh's recent history. 

According to a report by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), one of Bangladesh's leading human rights and legal aid organizations, the environment for journalists remained deeply concerning during the first half of 2026. ASK documented 209 incidents of harassment against journalists between January and June 2026, including physical assaults, death threats, and legal action under the Cyber Security Act. Replacing the Digital Security Act introduced under the Sheikh Hasina government, the current government recently enacted the Cyber Security Act. While the new legislation was presented as a reform, many of the controversial provisions of the previous law have been retained—either unchanged or reintroduced under different sections. As a result, journalists and civil society groups have questioned whether the new law represents any meaningful departure from its predecessor. Since its enactment, several have already been arrested and imprisoned under the Cyber Security Act. 

In February 2026, Ekhon TV issued show-cause notices to four senior journalists and ultimately terminated their employment over alleged social media activities. The decision represents a serious and disproportionate measure that raises broader concerns about due process and freedom of expression. The fundamental issue is not whether journalists can be prosecuted for genuine crimes. Rather, it is whether criminal law is being applied selectively, proportionately, and with sufficient judicial independence to prevent political misuse.

Perhaps the most significant consequence of the post-uprising environment has been the decline of investigative journalism. Newsrooms continue producing daily political and social coverage, but major long-term investigations into corruption, abuse of power, financial crime, or institutional failures have become increasingly rare. Several factors explain this trend. First, journalists remain uncertain about the legal consequences of pursuing politically sensitive stories. Second, editors worry about backlash from political groups, online campaigns, and mob violence. As a result, much of the country's journalism has shifted toward routine news coverage rather than analytical reporting. This is deeply concerning because investigative journalism serves as one of democracy's most important safeguards.

Emergence of Mob Culture

Another defining feature of Bangladesh's current media environment is the emergence of "mob culture." The attack on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo offices is a serious example of mob attack. Media owners often hesitate to invite commentators associated with the previous government or opposing political viewpoints because they fear public backlash, protests, or attacks against their organizations. Some media outlets have reportedly faced intimidation following political changes, creating an atmosphere in which editorial decisions are increasingly shaped by security concerns rather than journalistic judgment. A genuinely democratic media ecosystem requires ideological diversity. Journalists should be free to interview controversial figures and challenge governments without fear of violence or public intimidation.

Attacks on Journalists

The recent shooting targeting several journalists in Khulna represents one of the most alarming attacks on press freedom since the 2024 July uprising. This attack has intensified concerns about journalist safety and the rise of a culture of intimidation in Bangladesh. According to reports, four journalists were targeted in a shooting incident in Khulna city after they had finished their professional duties and were sitting together near a tea stall. Armed attackers reportedly arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire. One journalist, Awal Sheikh of The Business Standard, was injured by a bullet. Attacks on journalists undermine democratic institutions by discouraging independent reporting and encouraging self-censorship. 

Following the political transition under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh established a Media Reform Commission led by veteran journalist Kamal Ahmed. The commission submitted an extensive report containing recommendations aimed at strengthening media independence, improving regulatory institutions, protecting journalists' rights, and modernizing Bangladesh's legal framework. However, since the submission of that report, the interim government and the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has remained indifferent to implementing its recommendations. The gap between reform proposals and actual implementation shows us one of Bangladesh's longstanding governance challenges.  

Decline in Press Freedom Index 

All those factors are reflected in Bangladesh's international press freedom assessments. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Bangladesh fell three places to 152nd among 180 countries, down from 149th the previous year. RSF attributed the decline largely to the misuse of laws against journalists and continuing efforts to suppress dissenting voices. Bangladesh continues to struggle with many of the same structural weaknesses that have long undermined independent reporting.

The July 2024 uprising created huge expectations for democratic renewal, including the restoration of press freedom. However, there is little evidence that the situation has fundamentally changed compared with the era of the Sheikh Hasina government. Freedom of the press is not measured by whether journalists are free to support those who are in power. It is measured by whether they are free to question, investigate, criticize, and report the truth without fear. Until Bangladesh guarantees those freedoms equally for all journalists, including those with differing opinions, the democratic aspirations that inspired the July uprising will remain only partially fulfilled.

(The author is a US-based Bangladeshi visual journalist and geopolitical analyst. The views expressed are personal and not necessarily shared by editors of South Asia Monitor)