Bangladesh media faces major clampdown as 167 press cards are revoked under Younus’ leadership

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has revoked both permanent and temporary press accreditations for 118 journalists, including editors, reporters, and executives from several TV stations.

This brings the total number of journalists whose accreditations have been stripped to 167.

The first wave of cancellations occurred on October 29, when 20 journalists had their press cards revoked.

On November 3, another 29 journalists were notified of the same action. The most recent order, issued on November 7, was signed by Md Nizamul Kabir, Chief Information Officer of the Press Information Department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

According to the notification, the decision was made in accordance with various provisions of the Press Accreditation Policy of 2022.

Press accreditation cards are essential for entry into the Secretariat.

Among those affected are prominent figures such as AP Bureau Chief Julhas Alam, Channel I Director Shykh Seraj, Daily Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, and Daily Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, as well as executives from other leading media outlets, including UNB, Global TV, and Independent TV.

The ongoing crackdown on journalists has raised serious concerns about press freedom in Bangladesh.

Journalists and media workers have reported continuous harassment, with many facing legal action under the current regime.

Critics argue that such measures undermine democratic values, press independence, and the free flow of information.

The revocation of press credentials is seen as a “chilling” move that could intimidate other journalists, potentially encouraging self-censorship and stifling critical reporting.

This further threatens the viability of opposition media in the country, where freedom of expression is already under pressure.

Human rights advocates and media groups are calling for protests against these actions, stressing the need for the interim government to protect press freedom during this sensitive period of political transition.

The unrest that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Hasina was driven by mass protests over proposed changes to the government job quota policy, during which five journalists were killed, and others were attacked.

Bangladesh is currently ranked 165th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, a position that highlights the growing challenges faced by journalists.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has described the country as a “hostile” environment for the press, where editors often avoid criticizing the government to ensure their safety.