The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a global partnership of over 50 countries including Canada, the UK, Germany, and others, has strongly condemned the violent attacks on journalists, editors, and media houses in Bangladesh that occurred overnight on December 18-19.
In a statement issued by its diplomatic network in Dhaka, the MFC described the incidents as “unacceptable acts of violence and intimidation” that “strike at the heart of press freedom and the public’s right to be informed.”
The coalition called on authorities to ensure the safety of all media professionals and to conduct swift, impartial investigations to hold those responsible accountable. “Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear,” the statement read. “Protecting them is essential to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and an open, informed society.”
The attacks took place amid widespread unrest following the death of prominent student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to gunshot injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 18. Hadi, a key figure in the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was shot by unidentified assailants on December 12.
Angry protesters targeted several media outlets in Dhaka, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Mobs vandalised the buildings, set fires to furniture and documents, and trapped staff inside amid heavy smoke. Army personnel and firefighters eventually rescued journalists, but the damage forced both publications to suspend print operations on Friday – a rare occurrence, with Prothom Alo halting its print edition for the first time in 27 years.
The interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned the violence, urging calm and promising justice. Political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), echoed calls for accountability.
The incidents have raised concerns about press freedom in Bangladesh ahead of national elections scheduled for February 2026, with international observers highlighting the need to protect media workers during this transitional period.
The MFC’s statement underscores growing global worry over the safety of journalists in the country, as Bangladesh navigates political instability following last year’s mass protests.