Mob violence erupts in Dhaka targeting major news organisations
In a shocking turn of events, Bangladesh’s media landscape faced an unprecedented assault as violent mobs targeted the country’s leading newspapers. For the first time in their decades-long histories, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were unable to publish their print editions. This wave of coordinated Bangladesh media attacks has sent shockwaves across the region, highlighting a growing threat to press freedom and journalist safety.
The violence erupted in Dhaka late Friday night, shortly after news broke regarding the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, a prominent activist from the July uprising, passed away in Singapore from gunshot wounds. Protesters, fueled by anger, accused major media houses of bias and political alignment, leading to a night of terrifying destruction.
At the offices of The Daily Star, attackers smashed through glass doors, looted nearly 150 computers, and set fire to multiple floors. The situation became life-threatening for 28 journalists who were forced to seek refuge on the rooftop as thick smoke filled the building. Investigative journalist Zyma Islam shared a harrowing account on social media, describing the suffocating conditions before the army and firefighters finally rescued the trapped staff at dawn.
Simultaneously, the headquarters of Prothom Alo in Karwan Bazar faced a similar onslaught. Despite initial police intervention, a massive mob regrouped to vandalise furniture, CCTV systems, and fire safety equipment. One employee was so desperate to escape that they jumped from the roof to a neighbouring building, sustaining serious injuries. The scale of the Dhaka violence news extended beyond media houses, with mobs also targeting cultural centers like Chhayanaut Bhaban and the historic residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed his deep condolences to the editors and promised government support to rebuild. While the international community and media watchdogs condemn these acts, the physical and psychological scars on the Bangladeshi press remain deep. This "black day" for independent journalism serves as a grim reminder of how easily misinformation can incite targeted violence against the pillars of democracy.
