THE year 2024 marked one of the most dramatic political shifts in Bangladesh鈥檚 recent history. The fall of Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 long-serving government, after more than a decade in power, was greeted with optimism among citizens, civil society, and particularly journalists who had long struggled under restrictive media laws. The Digital Security Act (2018), later repackaged as the Cyber Security Act (2023), cast a long shadow over the press, leading to arrests, harassment, and self-censorship across the media landscape. When Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government, many believed it would usher in an era of greater freedom, transparency and accountability. Yet, one year into this transition, the reality is sobering. While the fall of an authoritarian government opened new possibilities, Bangladesh鈥檚 fragile democratic transition has left its media sector vulnerable, constrained, and still struggling to breathe freely.
The media in Bangladesh sits at a unique historical moment. On one hand, the removal of the previous government created expectations for reform, both in terms of press laws and broader democratic accountability. On the other, decades of political capture, shrinking revenue streams, and rapid technological disruption have compounded old challenges with new threats. For journalists on the ground, the pressures are not only legal but also financial, physical, and structural. In this fragile moment of transition, the question remains: can Bangladesh reimagine its media landscape to become the bedrock of democracy, or will it continue to falter under siege from state, market, and digital forces alike?
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Legacy of control and censorship
TO UNDERSTAND the current crisis, one must examine the legacy of media control that developed under Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 administration. During her tenure, the government relied heavily on the Digital Security Act to silence dissent. Over the years, hundreds of cases were filed against journalists, editors, and even ordinary citizens for social media posts critical of the government. Fear of reprisal led to widespread self-censorship in newsrooms, with many outlets prioritising survival over investigative reporting. Government advertising, a vital revenue stream for newspapers, was weaponized to reward compliance and punish defiance.
The Hasina government also encouraged a culture of partisanship in the media, where ownership of many outlets became closely aligned with ruling party interests. This compromised editorial independence blurred lines between journalism and propaganda. By the time of the 2024 transition, Bangladesh鈥檚 media was weakened and divided 鈥� fragmented along political lines, financially unstable and operating under a cloud of fear.
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A new dawn, or more of the same?
THE fall of Hasina鈥檚 government in 2024 initially promised a break from this past. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus pledged to review the country鈥檚 media laws and protect freedom of expression. For a brief moment, there was renewed vigour in newsrooms; journalists began to cover protests, political debates and governance failures with greater confidence. However, optimism quickly gave way to disillusionment.
Despite repeated assurances, the Cyber Security Ordinance, which replaced the Digital Security Act, has not been repealed. In fact, its vague provisions continue to allow law enforcement broad powers to detain journalists and censor content deemed 鈥榦ffensive鈥� or 鈥榙estabilizing.鈥� In many cases, the law has been used by local authorities or powerful elites to intimidate journalists investigating corruption, land grabbing or abuse of power. Moreover, physical attacks against reporters have persisted, often with little accountability for perpetrators.
This continuity of repression reveals a deeper truth: Bangladesh鈥檚 media crisis is not simply the product of one political regime, but of systemic weaknesses embedded in its political economy. Until these are addressed, transitions in leadership may only shift the players without transforming the game.
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Structural and financial fragility
BEYOND state repression, Bangladesh鈥檚 media faces a structural crisis. Traditional print outlets are losing readership as audiences migrate online, but digital advertising revenues overwhelmingly flow to global tech giants like Facebook and Google rather than local media houses. This creates an unsustainable financial model, forcing many outlets to rely on political patronage or government advertising for survival.
The result is a vicious cycle. Dependent on political and corporate interests, media outlets struggle to maintain editorial independence. Journalists are underpaid and overworked, leaving them vulnerable to corruption and 鈥榚nvelope journalism,鈥� where favourable coverage is exchanged for money or favours. The lack of investment in investigative reporting and fact-checking infrastructure further undermines credibility at a time when misinformation spreads rapidly online.
In this environment, small independent outlets and community-based journalism initiatives often find themselves particularly vulnerable. Without access to sustainable funding, their voices are easily drowned out by larger, politically aligned outlets. For Bangladesh鈥檚 fragile democracy, this hollowing out of independent journalism is a critical threat.
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The digital dilemma
THE rise of digital platforms has added a new layer of complexity. On one hand, social media has democratized access to information, allowing citizen journalists and independent voices to bypass traditional gatekeepers. On the other, it has accelerated the spread of misinformation and disinformation, often weaponized for political ends. Fake news, deep fakes, and coordinated campaigns have eroded trust in media institutions, blurring the line between fact and fiction.
The government鈥檚 response to this problem has largely been punitive rather than constructive 鈥� using laws like the Cyber Security Ordinance to justify censorship rather than building a resilient information ecosystem. Meanwhile, the lack of robust media literacy programmes leaves citizens vulnerable to manipulation. In a society where political polarisation runs deep, digital platforms have often served as echo chambers rather than spaces for democratic dialogue.
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Human cost for journalists
BEHIND these systemic challenges lies a stark human cost. Journalists in Bangladesh routinely face threats, harassment and violence. According to rights groups, dozens of reporters have been assaulted or detained over the past year alone. Female journalists, in particular, endure both physical risks in the field and relentless online harassment. Many lack formal protection or legal support from their employers, leaving them isolated in moments of crisis.
This hostile environment has had a chilling effect on young aspiring journalists. Many talented graduates shy away from entering the profession, perceiving it as dangerous and financially unstable. For those who stay, the passion for truth-telling is often overshadowed by the daily struggle to survive in a hostile ecosystem.
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Role of civil society, international partners
DESPITE these challenges, there are glimmers of resilience. Civil society organisations in Bangladesh continue to advocate for press freedom, provide legal aid to persecuted journalists, and promote ethical standards in reporting. International partners, including donor agencies and press freedom groups, have also played a role by funding training programmes, supporting fact-checking initiatives, and raising awareness of abuses.
Yet, such efforts often remain fragmented and insufficient against the scale of the crisis. A coordinated strategy that brings together government, civil society, media owners and international allies is urgently needed to create sustainable pathways for reform.
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Path forward: reform and empowerment
IF BANGLADESH is to break free from this cycle of repression and fragility, a bold reform agenda is essential. Repressive digital laws such as the Cyber Security Ordinance must be repealed or fundamentally reformed, replaced by rights-based legislation that protects freedom of expression while addressing legitimate concerns about online harms. This requires political will, but also sustained advocacy from civil society and media actors.
Institutionalising reform is equally important. The creation of an independent National Media Commission could help set standards, protect journalists and reduce political interference. Strengthening journalist unions, professional associations, and self-regulatory mechanisms can also uphold ethics and credibility while reducing state overreach.
Financial sustainability must be addressed by diversifying media revenue models. This could include promoting subscription-based journalism, encouraging digital content monetization, and ensuring greater transparency in public funding. At the same time, investment in training, fact-checking infrastructure, and media literacy is crucial to building resilience against misinformation.
Above all, protecting journalists physically and legally must become a non-negotiable priority. Restoring accreditation, revising criminal defamation provisions, and prosecuting attacks on media workers are essential steps toward rebuilding trust in institutions. Citizens, too, must be empowered through media literacy so that they can critically evaluate information and hold power to account.
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Media at the crossroads
BANGLADESH鈥橲 fragile transition stands as both a warning and an opportunity. The optimism that followed Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 fall revealed the deep yearning for a freer, more independent press. Yet the persistence of repressive laws, structural fragility and systemic violence against journalists demonstrates how entrenched the challenges truly are.
A free and vibrant media is not a luxury 鈥� it is the foundation upon which democracy stands. Without it, corruption thrives, accountability collapses and citizens are left in the dark. As Bangladesh navigates this uncertain transition, its leaders must recognise that silencing the press only undermines their legitimacy. Reforming the media landscape will not be easy, but it is essential to build a resilient democracy.
The road ahead requires courage 鈥� from policymakers willing to dismantle repressive structures, from journalists determined to continue telling the truth, and from citizens ready to demand accountability. Bangladesh鈥檚 media is under siege, but its fragile transition also offers a chance to reimagine the role of journalism in shaping a more democratic and just future. Whether this opportunity is seized or squandered will determine not just the fate of the media, but of Bangladesh鈥檚 democracy itself.
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Musharraf Tansen is a doctoral researcher at the University of Dhaka.