Pulak Raj, Dhaka
Since the political transition of 2024 and the tenure of the interim government, the journalism sector in Bangladesh has faced serious challenges. Incidents of harassment, arrests, fabricated cases, intimidation, and direct death threats against journalists have increased alarmingly, raising grave concerns about press freedom and freedom of expression. As part of this troubling trend, journalist Md Shafi Ullah, who held key positions in several leading newspapers and television channels in the country, has reportedly been forced to leave Bangladesh due to serious security threats.
Over the years, Shafi Ullah earned recognition for his courageous and objective journalism. Through his reporting, he exposed irregularities and misconduct within political, administrative, and state institutions, which reportedly brought him into conflict with powerful vested-interest groups. Following the publication of several investigative and anti-corruption reports, he and his family became the targets of continuous intimidation, including direct death threats aimed at silencing his work and preventing further reporting.
As the threats intensified, accompanied by digital harassment, fears of politically motivated legal cases, and growing risks to his personal safety, Shafi Ullah found himself in an extremely vulnerable situation. To protect his life, he was compelled to leave the country on short notice. However, members of his family who remain in Bangladesh, including his wife and children, are reportedly still living under constant fear and insecurity.
The departure of a prominent journalist under such circumstances has generated deep concern and strong condemnation within the country’s media community.
Senior journalists have stated that Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a hostile environment for investigative journalism. They note that several respected journalists, including Anis Alamgir and Manjurul Alam Panna, have also faced persecution and imprisonment during this period—developments that are widely viewed as contrary to the principles of press freedom and freedom of expression.
According to media analysts: “On the one hand, digital tools and legal mechanisms are being misused to suppress independent voices; on the other, journalists are being subjected to direct threats of violence. When a journalist is forced into exile simply for reporting the truth, it reflects a serious erosion of accountability and serves as a warning sign for any democratic society.”
Media professionals and representatives of civil society have called upon the authorities to ensure the safety and security of journalist Md. Shafi Ullah, as well as all media workers in the country. They have also urged the government to restore a safe and independent working environment for journalists and to uphold the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and the right to access information.
It is worth mentioning that journalist Md. Shafi Ullah has served in key positions at several leading media outlets in Bangladesh, including The Daily Peoples Time, Daily Protidiner Bangladesh, Global Television Bangladesh, The Protidiner Sangbad, NewsNextBD.com, Daily Vorer Pata, Daily Manobkantho, Daily Amader Kantho, FNS (Fair News Service Ltd.), Daily Jugantor, Daily Kaler Kantho, and The Daily Sangbad.
