NOAB expresses extreme concern over media freedom and safety of journalists

Staff Correspondent

The Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has expressed deep concern about media freedom and the safety of journalists.

The organization’s president, AK Azad, expressed this concern in a statement.

He said that for the past year, press freedom and the safety of journalists have been repeatedly disrupted. Journalists with different views have been kept in fear through mobs.

In a statement, he said, “The recent mob incident surrounding the Daily Janakantha newspaper, as well as the overall media freedom and security situation of journalists, are of concern to us. The picture that has emerged regarding information disclosure and media freedom in the latest report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) is also very sad.”

AK Azad said, “The expectation of creating a free, impartial and democratic society through the movement, in which the right to freedom of expression and information would be protected – that was our belief. Unfortunately, that expectation has not been reflected in the past year.”

He further said, “Recently, a ‘mob’ has been created in Janakantha newspaper, creating an unpleasant situation against the owners, which is in no way acceptable. According to the law, employees’ dues are supposed to be settled through the labor court and content-related disputes are supposed to be settled through the Press Council. But by not complying with these, a tense atmosphere has been created in the newspaper’s office and portal.”

Citing TIB data, the NOAB president said that a total of 496 journalists have been harassed in various ways in the past year (August 2024 – July 2025). Of these, 266 have been accused in the July murder case, three journalists were killed while on duty, 24 media workers have lost their jobs, 8 newspaper editors and 11 television news directors have been dismissed.

In this reality, AK Azad said, “A free and safe media is essential to sustain democracy. The bad culture of creating a ‘mob’ against any newspaper and threatening or intimidating it must be stopped. We urge the government to take immediate effective steps to ensure the freedom of the media and the safety of journalists.”

He concluded by saying, “We believe that the foundation of a democratic state will be stronger if media freedom is ensured.”