At least 31 journalists fell victim to harassment by various groups in the first two months of 2021, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) said in a recent report.
The report also disclosed that two journalists received threats from the ruling political party and its affiliates.
Last year, at least 247 journalists fell victim to similar harassments in the country from January to December; according to another report by ASK.
The report also disclosed that 39 journalists were harassed by law enforcing agencies, of whom 26 received death threats over phones during the period. It also revealed that 25 journalists were attacked and harassed by the ruling political parties’ members or its affiliates.
A total of 90 cases were filed against journalists from various media outlets for published news in 2020, ASK report added. Besides, 34 journalists were tortured and harassed by terrorists, the rights body said in the report.
At least 142 journalists were harassed in 2019 while some 207 journalists faced harassment in 2018, ASK data revealed.
Bangladesh has been placed at 151st position among 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2020 by Reporters without Borders (RSF).
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