In Bangladesh, the safety of journalists remains precarious, with reporters frequently facing violent attacks under challenging conditions. The harrowing experiences faced by journalists highlights the ongoing crisis facing Bangladeshi media, and the steps that must be taken to ensure their safety, writes Khairuzzaman Kamal of Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF).

Journalists in Bangladesh are not adequately protected; many times, journalists are subjected to violent attacks while performing their duties in adverse conditions. The Media and Communication Development Institute Group is working to strengthen the role of relevant stakeholders in data collection, analysis, and development in incidents of attacks on journalists and other harassment incidents.

The collective were trying to monitor the movement of journalists during the violence that erupted during the recent anti-discrimination student protests. Based on the news published in the media and the information received from journalists working in different districts, four journalists were killed in this violence.

Apart from the four journalists killed, at least three women journalists were molested while performing their professional duties. During this time, more than 200 media workers, including journalists and photo and video journalists, were injured.

Khairuzzaman Kamal is a strong advocate for human rights and press freedom and serves as the BMSF Secretary General and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Treasurer.