Bangladesh Interim Government’s Crackdown on Journalists: A Disinformation War Unfolds
New Delhi, May 6, 2025 – A war of words has erupted between the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) and the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Mohammed Yunus, over the alleged targeting of journalists. The RRAG stands by its report documenting attacks on 640 journalists between August 2024 and March 2025, while the Chief Advisor’s Fact-Checking Unit, derided by the RRAG as a "Disinformation Lab," vehemently denies these allegations. This clash highlights the escalating tensions surrounding freedom of the press in Bangladesh under the interim administration.
The RRAG’s director, Mr. Suhas Chakma, asserts that their figures are based on meticulous data compiled by the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) in Dhaka. The MSF’s statistics, derived from local newspaper monitoring and verification, reveal a grim picture: 182 journalists facing criminal charges, 206 subjected to violence and intimidation, and 85 summoned by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Mr. Chakma points to media reports, including a May 3rd article in The Daily Star, corroborating the escalating number of journalists facing legal action, arguing that the RRAG’s figure of 640 attacks may even be an underestimate. He dismisses the government’s denial as "Goebbels-speak," accusing them of employing propaganda tactics reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
The core of the dispute lies in the interim government’s assertion that it has not targeted journalists. The RRAG counters this claim by emphasizing the government’s responsibility for human rights violations within its jurisdiction, regardless of its interim status. They point to the filing of criminal cases against journalists, including those initiated by the interim government itself, and the BFIU’s summons as direct evidence of government targeting. The RRAG argues that Dr. Yunus, despite his Nobel Peace Prize, fails to grasp the fundamental legal principle of state accountability for human rights within its borders.
Further intensifying the conflict is the controversy surrounding the September 2024 violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The RRAG reported nine deaths based on records from the Khagrachari Hospital, while the government has yet to release its own inquiry report, constituted over seven months ago. Mr. Chakma criticizes the government’s silence on the matter, accusing them of attempting to conceal the truth about the violence and protect the perpetrators. He demands the release of the official investigative report before the government comments further on the number of casualties, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to provide accurate information.
Adding another layer to this already complex situation is the RRAG’s accusation that the Chief Advisor’s Fact-Checking Unit is, in reality, a "Disinformation Lab" operating as an extension of the government’s press wing. Mr. Chakma cites internal communications between the RRAG and the "DismisLab," alleging that the fact-checking unit was forced to concede errors in its reporting after the RRAG challenged their narrative. He argues that the government’s access to these internal communications reveals a close relationship between the two entities, further bolstering the RRAG’s claims of a disinformation campaign.
The dispute further extends to accusations that Dr. Yunus has downplayed religiously motivated violence. Mr. Chakma points to statements made by Dr. Yunus on September 5th, 2024, where he allegedly linked attacks on religious minorities to supporters of the Awami League and Hindus without any prior investigation. The RRAG contends that these statements, made before any official inquiry, demonstrate a disregard for due process and an attempt to minimize the severity of religiously motivated attacks. Mr. Chakma insists that a head of government should base statements on verifiable findings, not conjecture or fabricated reports.
Finally, responding to allegations of supporting the Awami League, Mr. Chakma dismisses them as an attempt by Dr. Yunus to deflect criticism by invoking the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. He argues that Dr. Yunus is attempting to hide behind Sheikh Hasina’s legacy while failing to address the current human rights violations under his own leadership. Mr. Chakma emphasizes that the interim government, under Dr. Yunus, remains accountable for its actions and omissions, and must bring an end to all rights abuses, particularly those targeting the media, concerns which are increasingly being echoed by Bangladeshi media outlets themselves. The ongoing clash between the RRAG and Bangladesh’s interim government highlights the fragile state of press freedom in the country, and underscores the need for transparency and accountability from those in power.