At least one journalist killed and 30 journalists were violently attacked during news coverage of three political parties rally in one day in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Saturday, 28 October. A journalist was hit by police tear gas and later he was dead while undergoing treatment in Dhaka’s hospital.   

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Diplomatic correspondents Association and several journalists strongly condemned these attacks. Snatching of journalists mobile phone, vandalized cameras and other equipments on Saturday violence, Dhaka reporters unity informed in a statement.

Tensions have been raised between the opposition political parties over the upcoming parliamentary elections. In Bangladesh, the long term rule of one party government and the repression of opposition parties have increased political tension in the country. Distrust of the government has been created among the opposition parties due to controversial elections in the last two phases. As a result, the Country’s leading opposition party BNP and others have started movement for demanding resignation of the government before election. Opposition demand free and fair election under neutral government. On the other hand, the ruling party is unwilling to give up power. The Awami league government is steadfast in its decision to remain in power in the next election as well.     

Country’s most of the media are politically biased and served as governmental agency. The country’s leading private media are owned by a powerful businessman who has emerged during Bangladesh economic boom. They see their media outlets as tools for exercising influence and maximising profits and they prioritise good relations with the government over the safeguard of editorial independence, according to RSF analysis.  

List of killed and injured Journalists

Journalist Rafiq Bhuiyan died while undergoing treatment on Sunday. On Saturday Rafiq Bhuiyan was hit by the police tear gas while going to the National press club in a rickshaw from his home in the capital, according to Shamprotik Deshkal news.     

Daily Ittefaq Multimedia Reporter Tanveer Ahmed and Sheikh Nasir, Daily Inqilab Photojournalist FA Masum, Daily Kalbela’s Crime Correspondent Rafsan Jani, Multimedia Reporter Johnny Raihan, Abu Saleh Musa, Rabiul Islam Rubel and Tauhidul Islam Tarek, Bangla Tribune Chief Correspondent Salman Tarek Shakeel, Journalist Zobair Ahmed and Photojournalist Sajjad Hossain, Special Correspondents of New Age. Ahmed Foez, Senior Correspondent of Desh Rupantor Newspaper Arifur Rahman Rabbi, AFP Correspondent Muhammad Ali Majed, Share Biz Correspondent Hamidur Rahman, Dhaka Times Correspondent Sirajum Salekin, Breaking News Crime Correspondent Kazi Ihsan Bin Didar and Ahsan Habib Sabuj, Ekushey TV Correspondent Tauhidur Rahman and camera person Arifur Rahman, Green TV Special Correspondent Rudra Saifullah and Cameraman Arju, Bhorer Kagoj Photojournalist Masood Parvez Anis, Nuruzzaman Shahadat and Cameraperson Ariful Islam Poni, Kaler Kantha Senior Photojournalist Sheikh Hasan And photo journalist Lutfar Rahman, video journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, Bangla News journalist Zafar Ahmed and freelance journalist Maruf.  Also Manabkantha journalist Monir Zarif’s motorcycle was burnt  and Jamuna Television’s car was vandalized.  

Photo: Somoy TV