Bangladesh: Journalist killed as protests rage

At least one journalist has been killed as protests against government hiring quotas continue across Bangladesh, with hundreds killed, injured, or detained. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), in strongly condemning the killing and urging protestors and authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers.

Police officers stand guard outside the offices of Bangladesh Television on July 20, 2024. Credit: Twitter

On July 18, Dhaka Times journalist Mehedi Hasan was killed after he was shot in the head while covering a clash between law enforcement and protesting students and activists in Dhaka’s southern Jatra Bari area. The killing was confirmed by Dhaka Times editor Ariufur Rahman Dolon, however the perpetrators or circumstances are currently unconfirmed.

That evening, thousands of protestors set the offices of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in central Dhaka alight, with journalists and media workers reportedly still trapped inside, while vandalising several vehicles parked outside. The protestors had chased police in response to increasing violence against protestors by police and political activists.

As of July 23, Amnesty International South Asia reported that over 170 people have been killed and hundreds, including journalists, have been injured as protests are met with violence from law enforcement. Bangladeshi authorities restricted access to the internet and shut down phone access from July 18, with a nationwide curfew imposed on July 20.

Late last month, the High Court of Bangladesh reinstated a job quota that reserved close to one-third of civil services posts for the children of those who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Responding to the protests, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered the quota for the families of veterans to be scaled back to five perc ent on July 21, with an additional two per cent for ethnic minorities, as well as transgender and disabled people.

The BMSF said: “The Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum strongly condemns the attack on the Shomoy TV journalists while performing their professional duty in Shahbagh areas.”

The IFJ said: “The killing of journalist Mehedi Hasan is deplorable and must be subject to an immediate and thorough investigation. Media coverage of protest movements and unfolding events is deeply important, and authorities must ensure the safety of journalists and media workers through these periods.”  

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries.
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