Bangladesh is the lowest country in South Asia in terms of press freedom which is further undermined by coronavirus pandemic, according to recent reports by several organizations.
According to a recent report by Austria-based global media watchdog International Press Institute’s (IPI) Covid-19 Press Freedom Tracker, nearly 200 incidents of press freedom violations were reported from the Asia-Pacific region of which 107 were from four South Asian countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
According to a statement issued by IPI, a journalist was killed in Bangladesh for reporting on drug and illegal gas connections. Three persons were arrested in connection with the murder.
At least 247 journalists fell victim of harassment in Bangladesh from January to December of the previous year according to a recent report of the rights body Ain O Salish Kendra (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 for published news, the 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, the ASK’s data showed.
Earlier on July 3 of last year, ARTICLE 19, an international organization, expressed grave concern at the recent spate of charges and arrests under the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) for commenting on social media.
According to ARTICLE 19, in the first six months of last year, 113 cases were recorded under the DSA. A total of 208 people were accused in these cases due to mere expression of opinion and 53 of them were journalists. Of the accused, 114 were arrested immediately, most of whom are still awaiting bail.
Besides, ARTICLE 19 calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those charged under the DSA.
Bangladesh has been placed 151 out of 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2020 by Reporters without Borders (RSF).
In South Asia, the position of Bangladesh has been the worst. Even it’s worse than war-ravaged Afghanistan, which has been placed at 122. Ranking of the other South Asian countries is -- Pakistan (145), India (142), Sri Lanka (127), Nepal (112), Bhutan (67), and Maldives (79).
The rank of Bangladesh has been low in the index for the past five years. In 2019, Bangladesh ranked 150 and in 2018 it was 146. Bangladesh ranked 144 in 2016.
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