Another journalist in Bangladesh was recently attacked for reporting on corruption.
The incident has been condemned by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The journalist has been identified as Shariful Alam Chowdhury, a reporter for Daily Samakal.
He was seriously injured as he was severely assaulted by several members of Union Parishad, a local citizens’ union, on July 4.
While condemning the incident, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the Bangladesh authorities to increase protections for journalists and punish those people who were involved in the attack.
Chowdhury is also the general secretary of Muradnagar Press Club.
According to a report, Chowdhury was reporting on corruption and nepotism detected within the local Union Parishad led by chairman Shahjahan.
It has been alleged that a number of assailants dragged him out of his residence in Kajiatal village before brutally attacking him with iron pipes and hammers.
When his parents intervened to defend the young journalist, they were also allegedly assaulted.
Local residents rescued Chowdhury and took him to Cumilla district hospital.
Chowdhury and his parents sustained multiple injuries in the attacks and the condition of the journalist, who is undergoing treatment, remains critical.
The police arrested Shahjahan and stated in a release that they are in the process of identifying the other attackers.
The Cumilla court, however, granted bail to Shahjahan.
In April, another journalist was beaten in Bangladesh for collecting information on embezzlement of rice distribution.
“This incident is horrific, and we strongly protest against any violence towards journalists. BMSF demands that the culprits are caught and punished without delay,” said Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF).
The IFJ said, “This assault on Chowdhury is symptomatic of a broken social and legal system that does not champion freedom of speech. It is one in a series of attacks on journalists in Bangladesh.
“Everything should be done to ensure violence is not normalised and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their acts of violence,” it added.