UNESCO supports Bangladesh's media landscape during historic times of transition

In 2024 wake of Bangladesh’s July-August mass uprising and subsequent historic transitional period, the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists supported the joint UNESCO-UNDP Media Needs Assessment.

The initiative sought to conduct an assessment to better situate the country’s evolving media landscape and propose media reform aligned with international standards during this fragile period. The findings and recommendations served as roadmap to guide coordinated action and rebuild public trust in the media as a credible and reliable pillar of society, ultimately allowing rapid responses to the needs of the media sector during this pivotal moment for Bangladesh.

Experiencing this transition first-hand are Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, one of Bangladesh's largest English-language daily newspaper, and Reaz Ahmad, Executive Editor of the Dhaka Tribune. They spoke with UNESCO about the challenges and opportunities for reform facing Bangladesh's media sector during political transition, and the role of international support in building a more free, trusted and resilient information environment.

A mixed environment since the Uprising

Since the July 2024 Uprising and the subsequent change of government, Bangladesh entered a period of significant political transition marked by heightened social polarisation, growing pressures on the media sector, and constraints against freedom of expression.

Supported by MDP, the UNESCO-UNDP media assessment highlighted that, both prior to the uprising and in the aftermath of the transition, journalists and media organizations continued to face significant challenges. These included limited access to information, the spread of hate speech and mis- and disinformation online, insufficient professional standards in newsrooms, undue influence over media ownership and declining levels of public trust.

Moreover, attacks against journalists and media outlets have persisted, contributing to an increasing trend of self-censorship and reinforcing a broader climate of impunity.

Since the July 2024 Uprising, we expected that the media would be able to operate with greater openness. That expectation has only been partially realized. What we have experienced instead is a mixed environment, where some space has opened, but significant pressures on journalists continue.

Mahfuz Anam

Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star

December 2025: Chilling attack against independent media

The need for ongoing and timely support to the Bangladesh media landscape was underscored during the mob attacks against two prominent newsrooms, the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, on 18 December 2025. These mob attacks, preceded by weeks of mounting online incitement and hate speech on social media platforms, resulted in burning and  destruction of the two offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, while dozens of journalists and staff members remained trapped inside. In their wake, numerous international human rights and intergovernmental organizations underlined that these attacks did not occur in isolation. Instead, they unfolded within a deeply entrenched climate of impunity for violence against journalists, further exacerbated by the structural precarity of the Bangladeshi media landscape. 

For Mahfuz Anam and his colleagues, this was not only an attack against his newsroom in particular, but an action which sought to silence journalism. Yet, the response just the next morning by the entire staff reaffirmed the newsroom's commitment to press freedom:

Our office was set on fire, putting colleagues at serious risk and forcing an emergency evacuation. It was a deeply difficult moment, yet our team published the newspaper the following day with the headline 'UNBOWED,' reflecting our commitment to continue our work without fear or favour.

Mahfuz Anam

Navigating a more demanding editorial environment

Across the transitional period, day-to-day editorial work has grown more complex. Journalists face risks that extend beyond reporting itself, including safety concerns, online harassment and a deteriorating information environment. The proliferation of misinformation, coupled with the growing use of artificial intelligence in content creation, has made verification increasingly complex and demanding.

Newsrooms have been required to strengthen internal editorial processes while resisting the pull toward self-censorship.

Across this transitional period, day-to-day editorial work has become more demanding and requires greater care. Journalists now operate in an environment where risks extend beyond reporting itself. There are concerns about safety, online harassment and growing mistrust within parts of the information environment. The challenge is to maintain necessary caution without allowing it to become self-censorship.

Mahfuz Anam

UNESCO's support during Bangladesh’s transition

In this period of transition, UNESCO has continued to support initiatives working to protect information integrity, freedom of expression, media diversity, community media and safety of journalists. The Media Needs Assessment supported by MDP  has acted as a catalyst for additional resource mobilization. It informed the design and scale-up of the electoral assistance project BALLOT ahead of February 2026 elections, jointly implemented by UNESCO, UNDP and UN Women with UNESCO leading the media and elections component.  

Furthermore, following the translation of the Practical Manual on Disability Equality in the Media into Bangla in 2024 and awareness-raising sessions with media professionals across Dhaka, Editor Reaz Ahmad of the Dhaka Tribune noted that “UNESCO’s ongoing efforts—ranging from promoting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists to amplifying the voices of people with disabilities—are already impacting the ecosystem.”

He also recalled the impacts of the UNESCO awareness session on the decision of the Dhaka Tribune to become the first media outlet in Bangladesh to recruit persons with disabilities.

Through the BALLOT project, UNESCO implemented a series of trainings for journalists on election reporting, fact-checking, information integrity, online and offline safety ahead of February 2026 elections. In addition, UNESCO convened civil society and digital platforms around shared responses to promoting electoral information integrity, and addressing emerging digital risks surrounding elections. 

For Mahfuz Anam, the value of this engagement lies in its coherence:

Support provided through the Multi-Donor Programme has helped sustain these efforts in a more coordinated and structured manner, enabling continued focus on journalist safety, information integrity and professional standards — allowing for engagement across different stakeholders rather than isolated interventions.

Mahfuz Anam

A path ahead 

Following its February 2026 elections, this moment presents a critical opportunity to transform its media sector into one that is more independent, pluralistic and future-ready. Achieving this requires legal reform, institutional change and sustained commitment to freedom of expression in line with international human rights standards.

UNESCO's ongoing engagement aims to support the legal, institutional and professional conditions under which a free, independent and pluralistic media can fulfil its democratic function during the transition and beyond. 

According to Mahfuz Anam, within the profession, stronger adherence to ethical standards and credible self-regulation will be essential. International organizations, particularly UNESCO, can support this process through training, facilitating dialogue and strengthening capacity. However, lasting progress will depend on the commitment of institutions and stakeholders within the country.

Meaningful progress would require that journalists are able to work without fear of violence or intimidation, and that there is accountability when such incidents occur. Economic sustainability is also important, as financial pressures can affect editorial independence.

Mahfuz Anam

This initiative is supported by UNESCO’s Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists (MDP).