Survey reveals widespread fear of violence – from harassment and intimidation to hacking, reputational attacks, and gender-specific violence. Media experts demand stronger protection mechanisms

A new nationwide study has raised serious concerns over the safety of journalists ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 general elections, with 89 per cent of reporters saying they fear physical assault while covering the polls. The findings, published in the report High Risks, Low Preparedness: Journalist Safety in 2026 Elections by Digitally Right in partnership with the Fojo Media Institute of Sweden, paint a troubling picture of shrinking safety conditions for media professionals across the country.

The survey, which reached 201 journalists across 19 districts, supplemented by 10 in-depth interviews, reveals multi-layered threats – from harassment and intimidation to hacking, reputational attacks, and gender-specific violence. The landscape, the report suggests, is more dangerous than at any previous election cycle.

The revelations coincide with growing public debate about press freedom and journalist protection, amplified by a recent editorial in the Dhaka Tribune calling for urgent, systemic action to guarantee media workers’ safety.

Deep-Rooted Fear of Violence Across Newsrooms

According to the study, the overwhelming majority of journalists expect some form of violence during election coverage. Beyond the 89 per cent who fear physical assault, 76 per cent anticipate verbal abuse, 71 per cent expect threats, and an alarming 75 per cent foresee targeted disinformation campaigns intended to discredit their work.

In addition, 65 per cent of respondents fear hacking or cyber-attacks, reflecting growing anxiety over digital safety in an era where political actors and online groups frequently target journalists with coordinated harassment.

Participants identified multiple sources of potential danger – including political party activists, religious extremist groups, and even some law-enforcement personnel. Regional and female journalists in particular reported that they frequently face hostility in the field, especially at rallies, polling stations or high-tension political events.

The study’s findings, released in a Dhaka roundtable, have been met with alarm by senior media figures. Editors, correspondents and safety trainers present at the event said the risks described in the report resonate strongly with their real-life experiences of covering elections in Bangladesh.

Women Journalists Face Distinct and Heightened Threats

The report devotes significant attention to gender-based threats, highlighting a gap in safety planning for female reporters. Half of all female respondents said they feared sexual harassment during election coverage, while 40 per cent feared sexual assault.

Many female journalists said they receive explicit threats both online and offline, often linked to their identity, appearance or perceived political leanings. The intersection of political hostility and gender-based violence creates a particularly toxic work environment.

One recurring concern is that newsroom management often underestimates the severity of these threats. The study notes that men are nearly three times more likely than women to have a personal safety plan, suggesting that gendered risks remain insufficiently addressed by editors and media-house leadership.

Female reporters attending the roundtable pressed for dedicated safety mechanisms – such as harassment hotlines, gender-sensitive field protocols and emergency support networks – arguing that the volatile political environment demands more robust institutional action.

Digital Insecurity Emerges as a Major Pressure Point

With newsrooms increasingly dependent on digital tools for communication, documentation and reporting, journalists interviewed in the study stressed the urgent need for cyber-security measures. Many said they were targeted in previous election cycles by hacking attempts or coordinated online mobs.

Yet the study shows a striking lack of preparedness: 77 per cent of journalists reported that their organisations do not have digital-safety protocols in place, while less than a quarter said they have ever received formal safety training. Many smaller newsrooms lack dedicated IT teams or secure communication platforms, leaving reporters vulnerable to surveillance, phishing attacks, and doxxing.

Editors warned that digital harassment is often used as a precursor to physical intimidation, making online safety a core component of broader journalist protection.

Media Leaders Call for Industry-Wide Reform

At the report’s launch, several prominent editors and senior journalists expressed serious concern over the deteriorating safety climate.

Reaz Ahmad, editor of the Dhaka Tribune, argued that the unchecked proliferation of new media outlets – often run without proper editorial standards or safety protocols – has worsened the problem. He called for a “self-revolution” within the media sector, urging owners and editors to prioritise safety training, enforce ethical guidelines and develop transparent reporting systems for threats.

Participants also emphasised the need for cooperation between media organisations, political parties, the Election Commission and law-enforcement agencies. Without coordinated action, they warned, journalists risk being caught between rival political groups, particularly during the heated pre-election and polling-day environment.

Stakeholders suggested a number of immediate steps: establishing safety desks within newsrooms, creating emergency communication channels during election periods, and identifying high-risk areas in advance so that reporters can plan accordingly.

Editorial Voices Stress that Safety is Foundational to Democracy

An editorial in the Dhaka Tribune titled “Journalists must feel safe to do their job” underscores that press freedom cannot exist independently of journalist safety. It warns that economic pressures, political polarisation and the spread of misinformation have created an environment in which free and fair election coverage is becoming increasingly difficult.

The editorial stresses that safety is not merely a professional issue – it is central to democratic integrity. When journalists are forced to self-censor due to fear, the public receives less accurate and less independent information, directly harming the electoral process.

It urges a collective commitment: the state must ensure legal protection, media houses must invest in their staff’s security, and political actors must refrain from using intimidation or disinformation as electoral tactics.

Without urgent intervention, experts warn, the upcoming polls may take place under conditions where fear, not regulation, dictates what gets reported. Such an environment could undermine the credibility of the election and weaken public trust in democratic institutions.

The report makes clear that safeguarding journalists is not simply a media-industry concern; it is a democratic imperative. Free, independent political coverage is essential for voters to make informed decisions, and safety is the minimum guarantee required to enable that.

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