JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 07, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
Shariful Alam Chowdhury, a reporter for the Daily Samakal, was severely assaulted by several members of the local citizen union, the Union Parishad on July 4 in Bangladesh.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned this incident and calls on Bangladesh authorities to increase protections for journalists and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
Chowdhury, who is also the general secretary of Muradnagar Press Club, had been reporting on corruption and nepotism found within the local Union Parishad led by chairman Shahjahan.
In alleged retribution, multiple assailants dragged him out of his family residence in Kajiatal village before violently attacking him with iron pipes and hammers. When his parents intervened to defend the young journalist, they were also assaulted.
Chowdhury was rescued by local residents and rushed to Cumilla district hospital. Both he and his parents sustained multiple injuries from the attacks with Chowdhury remaining in a critical condition.
The police arrested Shahjahan after an incident report was filed. In a release, they also stated that they are in the process of identifying the other attackers. Despite the arrests, Shahjahan has been granted bail by the Cumilla court.
Attacks on journalists are unfortunately not infrequent in Bangladesh. In April, another journalist was beaten for collecting information on a case of rice embezzlement.
The Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) said: “This incident is horrific, and we strongly protest against any violence towards journalists. BMSF demands that the culprits are caught and punished without delay.”
The IFJ said: “This assault on Chowdhury is symptomatic of a broken social and legal system that does not champion freedom of speech. It is one in a series of attacks on journalists in Bangladesh. Everything should be done to ensure violence is not normalised and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their acts of violence.”—IFJ media release
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.