Khulna Journalist Shooting Assailed as Attack on Press Freedom

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed profound concern over a recent shooting incident targeting journalists in Khulna, branding the armed assault a direct attack on independent journalism and the free press. In a press statement issued on Thursday 16 July 2026, the anti-corruption watchdog noted that the initial reluctance of the victims to lodge a formal complaint reflects a deeply entrenched culture of fear and a severe crisis of public trust in law enforcement agencies. The organisation has demanded an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation to identify the perpetrators and hold them legally accountable.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, the Executive Director of TIB, noted that whilst it remains unclear whether the attack specifically targeted a particular journalist or was provoked by a specific investigative report, the armed assault undoubtedly threatens media freedom and freedom of expression. He emphasised that merely filing a case is insufficient. Authorities must conduct a swift and transparent inquiry free from administrative or political influence. The investigation must uncover the actual motives, identify the planners and orchestrators, and determine whether the attack was linked to the journalists’ professional duties. Without credible answers, this incident risks being added to a long list of unpunished crimes against media personnel.

The anti-corruption body highlighted media reports indicating that the victims were initially hesitant to seek legal recourse. Dr Iftekharuzzaman characterised this hesitation as an alarming sign of vulnerability, driven by the fear of retaliatory violence and widespread insecurity within the journalistic community. This reluctance suggests that the public lacks confidence in the willingness and capacity of the relevant authorities to deliver justice.

Given the sophisticated surveillance capabilities and advanced tracking technologies currently available to intelligence and law enforcement agencies, identifying the attackers should not be a difficult task. A democratic society cannot safeguard press freedom when the victims of violent crimes are too intimidated to seek justice. Such a climate of fear discourages independent, investigative journalism aimed at protecting the public interest, whilst simultaneously emboldening influential and corrupt quarters. TIB urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of media workers, implement credible investigations for every assault, and ensure exemplary accountability to dismantle this culture of impunity.