VOICE

05/05/2026

VOICE in media: The Daily Star

Speakers at an event yesterday called for a transparent and accountable media environment, practical gender policies in newsrooms, and stronger measures to ensure the safety of women journalists.

05/05/2026

VOICE in media: The Financial Express

Get latest stock share market news, financial news, economy news, politics news, breaking news, Bangladesh economy news at The Financial Express.

05/05/2026

VOICE in media: Dhaka Tribune

A new project aimed at strengthening media accountability and promoting gender-responsive reforms for women journalists was officially launched in Dhaka on Monday. Titled “Strengthening Actions for Media Accountability through a Transformative Approach for Women...

04/05/2026

UNESCO and VOICE Launch “SAMATA” Project to Strengthen Media Accountability and Safety for Women Journalists

The inauguration ceremony of the project titled “Strengthening Actions for Media Accountability through a Transformative Approach for Women Journalists (SAMATA)” was held today in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward addressing structural challenges and promoting gender-responsive reforms within the media sector.

The event, organized by the rights-based advocacy organization VOICE at the YWCA Auditorium on Monday, convened journalists, media professionals, rights defenders, and civil society representatives to examine the prevailing challenges and institutional realities shaping the experiences of women in Bangladesh’s media landscape. Discussions highlighted that ensuring both digital and physical safety for women is a collective priority, requiring coordinated and sustained efforts across government institutions and civil society actors.

Muhammad Hiruzzaman ndc, Director General (Additional Secretary), National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, attended the event as the Chief Guest and underscored the government’s collective commitment to advancing inclusive media policies, stating, “Ensuring a safe and equitable media environment for all, especially women journalists, remains a shared responsibility that requires sustained institutional support and collaboration.”

The project is supported by the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) under the supervision of UNESCO Dhaka. Dr. Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, formally inaugurated the project as the Special Guest.

In her remarks, Dr Susan Vize emphasized that media accountability and the safety of women journalists are fundamental to a healthy democracy, calling for a transformative approach to institutionalize gender equality. She stated, “Ensuring the safety of women journalists is not only a matter of protection, but a prerequisite for credible and inclusive journalism. We must move beyond commitments to concrete, systemic changes that embed gender equality within media institutions and governance frameworks.”

Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Executive Director of VOICE, highlighted the strategic necessity of the inaugurated project. He remarked, “Our objective through SAMATA project is to catalyze a structural shift within media houses. Accountability is not just a concept; it must be a practiced reality to ensure that women journalists can contribute to the democratic discourse without facing systemic barriers.”

The event featured a panel discussion titled “Advancing Gender Equality and Safety in Media,” bringing together experts from media, civil society, and academia to explore pathways for creating a safer and more inclusive media environment.

Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director of Media Resources Development Initiative,emphasized the need for stronger institutional standards, stating, “Media accountability mechanisms must be transparent and inclusive. It is time for media houses to adopt rigorous standards that ensure women can report without fear of retaliation or discrimination.”

Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Executive Director of Digitally Right, shed light on the practicality of the gender policy within media workplace noting, “Gender policy in media should be shaped and owned by media professionals and embedded within the workplace HR practice. A single approach doesn’t work for everyone.”

Samina Yasmin, Director of Strengthening Movements and Leadership at বহ্নিশিখা Bonhishikha - unlearn gender, underscored the broader impact of the initiative, saying, “The SAMATA project aims to address structural challenges within media institutions and promote inclusive and sustainable reforms. We need to create a truly safe and supportive environment for women to excel in this profession.”

In her closing remarks, Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director of VOICE, outlined the project’s strategic direction, stating, “With women comprising less than 10% of the journalism workforce in Bangladesh, many of their challenges remain unreported and unaddressed. Through the SAMATA project, we aim to develop a comprehensive gender policy and strengthen functional redress mechanisms to ensure safer and more accountable media workplaces.”

The event concluded with journalists, media personnel, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders jointly emphasizing the need for sustained and coordinated action to strengthen gender-responsive policies and accountability mechanisms, while reaffirming the importance of protecting both digital and physical spaces for women journalists as a foundation for a more inclusive and democratic media environment.

30/04/2026

The key findings, analysis, and recommendations of a recent media monitoring report on the current state of freedom of expression and related rights in Bangladesh were presented at a dissemination event held in Dhaka.

The event, organized by the rights-based advocacy organization VOICE at the NGO Forum for Public Health on Wednesday, brought together journalists, rights defenders, and civil society representatives to reflect on the prevailing challenges and ground realities affecting freedom of expression and civic rights in Bangladesh.

Speakers highlighted a growing range of concerns, including restrictions on cultural freedoms, attacks on marginalized communities, criminalization of online expression, violence and harassment against journalists, public harassment of women, and increasing limitations on religious and academic freedoms. They noted that these trends are significantly undermining the broader democratic environment in the country.

Senior journalist Mohammad Kawsar Uddin noted that while media and civil society actors are engaged during the drafting of digital laws, their recommendations are not always reflected in the final versions, which may limit the overall effectiveness and credibility of multistakeholder engagement in the policymaking process.

Media and gender researcher and faculty member at American International University- Bangladesh (AIUB), Afroja Shoma, emphasized the importance of deeper inquiry and greater transparency regarding documented cases. She remarked, “A critical question in today’s context is who determines the boundaries of freedom of expression, and who is held accountable when that freedom is curtailed.”

Civil society representative Sharaban Tohura highlighted that the spread of AI-generated content on social media is increasingly affecting both journalists and the wider public, demonstrating how misinformation and disinformation can erode digital and civic spaces.

Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director of VOICE, shared findings from ongoing documentation efforts, noting, “In the last six months, we have documented 67 cases of Freedom of Expression (FoE) violations. The concerning issue is that such incidents are continuing and are likely to persist. Even more worrying is the growing normalization of these violations, which is deeply alarming.” She further added, “Our objective is to contribute to building a safe digital environment where freedom of expression and digital rights are protected, and democratic values are strengthened.”

Bandhan Das, Programme Support Assistant at VOICE, highlighted emerging trends in the data, stating, “Our analysis shows that the severity of incidents is increasing. We are conducting ongoing trend analysis based on available data. In particular, mob violence is emerging as a growing and concerning pattern, which we are closely monitoring.”

The event brought together senior journalists, media professionals, and civil society representatives, including Udisa Islam, Nadira Parvin, S. M. Shaikat, Md. Aminur Rasul, Bipasha Saed, Manju Rani Pramanik, among others.
Participants underscored the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression, ensuring transparency of information, factchecking and strengthening accountability mechanisms. They called for coordinated and sustained efforts to prevent violations of fundamental rights related to expression and digital freedoms in Bangladesh.

28/04/2026

Protect those who speak the truth, and freedom will protect itself. When journalists can work without fear, society gains access to facts, accountability, and justice. Their safety is not just a professional right, it is the foundation of every free and informed nation.

25/04/2026

Quick Response Support Team Meeting Aims to Bolster Journalist Safety in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 25 April 2026

Growing risks within an increasingly complex socio-political environment are steadily undermining the safety and security of journalists across Bangladesh. Media professionals continue to face harassment, intimidation, censorship, politically motivated and vexatious legal actions, as well as physical threats in the line of duty, often in the absence of effective protection mechanisms, accountability, or access to justice.
In this context, a discussion meeting of the Quick Response Support (QRS) Team was held on 25 April 2026 at Dhaka, aimed at strengthening mechanisms for journalist safety and protection. The meeting was organized by the rights-based research and advocacy organization VOICE. This initiative is supported by International Media Support (IMS) under “Supporting Media During Transition Period in Bangladesh” Project.
Journalists, academicians, and civil society representatives participated in the meeting as members of the QRS Team. During the discussion, participants emphasized the importance of strengthened coordination and underscored the need for a comprehensive analysis of the current state of journalists’ safety and security in the country.
Senior journalist, columnist, and QRS member Sohrab Hasan stated, “Ensuring the safety of journalists is fundamental to safeguarding the right to speak truth to power. Without a secure environment, a free, independent, and resilient media cannot flourish. At the same time, cases of violations identified through media monitoring must be carefully and systematically verified. QRS members will extend their full support to strengthen this verification process.”
Programme Manager of IMS in Bangladesh, Shakhawat Hossain, stated, “Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen advocacy for the safety and security of media professionals while fostering a collective voice for their comprehensive protection. At the same time, we will facilitate support systems, including assistance mechanisms for journalists in need.” He further noted that the Bangladesh Journalists Safety Fund (BJSF), established under this project, is designed to provide support to journalists who face risks or victimization due to their professional work.
Presenting an overview of the initiative, Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director (Programmes) of VOICE, stated, “The project has documented more than thirty cases of violations affecting journalists’ safety in last three months, each carrying significant implications for press freedom in Bangladesh. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a safer media environment where investigative journalism is supported and encouraged, enabling the media to contribute meaningfully to inclusive democracy and accountability.”
Senior journalist Azizul Parvez, human rights activist Sharaban Tohura, development consultant Monjur Rashid, gender and media researcher Afroja Shoma among others, participated in the meeting.
Participants expressed serious concerns regarding ongoing violations of press freedom, risks to journalists’ safety and security, violence targeting women journalists, as well as the use of vexatious cases and arbitrary detention against media professionals. They reaffirmed their commitment to remain vocal and actively engaged in safeguarding and advancing the fundamental rights and freedoms of the media.

25/04/2026

VOICE is sharing the photos of its January newsletter here. This edition highlights the state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh’s digital and civic landscape ahead of the 2026 national election. It documents key incidents involving the killing of a journalist, attacks on media professionals, restrictions on cultural celebrations, and threats to academic freedom. The newsletter also presents VOICE’s continued monitoring efforts to track and report threats to free expression, media freedom, and civic space across the country.

If anyone would like to read the full document, kindly access it through the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xq8k_4PjkB0olMz60ZCoDDw4MxnB8_4I/view?usp=sharing

23/04/2026

VOICE is sharing the photos of its February newsletter here. This edition highlights the state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh’s digital and civic landscape ahead of the 2026 national election. It documents key incidents involving arbitrary detention of media workers, exposure of journalists’ personal data, attacks on press institutions, and violence against women in public spaces. The newsletter also presents VOICE’s continued monitoring efforts to track and report threats to free expression, media freedom, and civic space across the country.

If anyone would like to read the full document, kindly access it through the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PS44t_-2KORgb5jX1pEWdXv9_OTGF7Bp/view?usp=sharing

22/04/2026

The March newsletter provides a documented overview of the continuing challenges to freedom of expression within Bangladesh’s digital and civic landscape.

This edition highlights the ongoing challenges to freedom of expression in Bangladesh’s digital and civic landscape. It documents key incidents involving attacks on journalists, restrictions on cultural activities, harassment of activists, violence against filmmakers, and violations of Indigenous rights. The newsletter also presents VOICE’s continued monitoring efforts to track and report threats to free expression, media freedom, and civic space across the country.

If anyone would like to read the full document, kindly access it through the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U9augzPtdAXSoSyYTLJvz650Hlb5kNrF/view?usp=sharing

21/04/2026

A journalist, Samiul Monir, was allegedly brutally assaulted inside the Shyamnagar Upazila Press Club in Satkhira after publishing a report on illegal sand looting from local rivers. According to witnesses, a group of 25–30 local political activists, including leaders and supporters of the local political group, entered the press club building, attacked him, and dragged him outside where he was beaten with bricks, hammers, and iron rods.

Samiul Monir, who is also the Shyamnagar correspondent of Daily Samakal, sustained serious injuries, including a severe head wound, and was hospitalized.

This incident demonstrates the growing dangers faced by journalists for exposing corruption and environmental crimes. Attacking a reporter inside a press club, traditionally a place of safety for media workers, represents a serious assault on press freedom, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to information. Such violence creates fear among journalists and discourages investigative reporting, especially on politically connected criminal activities.