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Published : 19 Dec 2025, 08:00 PM
The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) has condemned the attacks and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star following the death of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi, calling for a swift and thorough investigation into the incidents.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, member states of the global alliance working on media freedom denounced what they described as attacks on journalists, editors and media organisations.
It added that such acts of violence and intimidation were “unacceptable” and also constituted an assault on “the public’s right to information”.
Calling for accountability, the MFC urged authorities to ensure the safety of all media professionals and to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Journalists must be able to work without fear, the statement said, stressing that their protection was essential to uphold the rule of law, democratic values and an open, well-informed society.
The Media Freedom Coalition is a global alliance of 51 countries committed to promoting and protecting press freedom worldwide. Established in Canada in 2019, the coalition is currently co-chaired by Germany and Finland.
The statement was issued by coalition members with diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Separately, the Press Club, Kolkata also condemned the attacks on the two media houses. In a statement, the organisation said it was deeply concerned by the vandalism and arson.
The statement also called on the interim government to take effective steps to ensure the safety of journalists and cultural workers in the country.
