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Published : 01 May 2026, 01:02 AM
Bangladesh has slipped three positions in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 152nd out of 180 countries, according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The report, released ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, shows Bangladesh’s total score falling to 33.05 from last year’s 33.71.
Globally, RSF warned that press freedom has reached its lowest point in 25 years, with more than half of the surveyed nations falling into the "difficult" or "very serious" categories.
The index is calculated based on five sub-indicators. While Bangladesh showed improvement in one area, it regressed in the others.
In the political context, Bangladesh improved by 10 spots to rank 134th, up from 145th. However, in the economic context, it fell 15 places to 149th from 134th.
The legislative framework ranking dropped slightly by one spot to 151st, while the social indicator slipped four positions to 148th.
In terms of security, Bangladesh declined by two spots to rank 161st from 159th.
RSF noted that state-run media outlets like BTV and Bangladesh Betar lack editorial independence and function primarily as "mouthpieces" for the government.
The report highlighted that while some private television channels have shifted away from their previous pro-Hasina stances, they remained cautious about criticising the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
It credited outlets like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star for attempting to maintain editorial autonomy.
On the legal landscape, RSF criticised the Cyber Security Act -- which replaced the controversial Digital Security Act -- saying it continues to allow the arrest of journalists without warrants and facilitates privacy violations.
The report underscored the influence of major business conglomerates that own most private media houses, viewing them as tools for profit and political leverage rather than independent journalism.
This often leads these outlets to prioritise good relations with the government over editorial freedom.
RSF pointed out that while Islamist groups were responsible for several killings over the last decade, they are now increasingly using social media to harass and threaten secular journalists.
Additionally, the profession remains heavily male-dominated, with female journalists frequently facing workplace harassment and online hate campaigns, the RSF said.
Following the RSF report, the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) in Bangladesh issued a statement signed by 13 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Japan.
The coalition welcomed the government's commitment to press freedom but stressed that independent media is essential for combating misinformation in the digital age.
They emphasised the need for a "complementary legal framework, financial sustainability, and an environment free from undue influence" to ensure a functioning press.
