- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 24 Dec 2025 05:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A senior Bangladeshi television journalist has been targeted with violent threats amid growing concerns over press freedom in the country. On December 21, a group of young men went to the headquarters of Global TV Bangladesh in the Tejgaon area of Dhaka and demanded the removal of the channel’s Head of News and prominent anchor, Naznin Munni.
According to the channel, the visitors warned that the office would be set on fire if their demand was not met, citing recent arson attacks on media organisations as a precedent.
Naznin Munni later confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, saying seven to eight individuals came to the office and issued the threat. She described the episode as part of a broader campaign of intimidation aimed at silencing journalists and independent media outlets.
The threat came just days after the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were vandalised and set ablaze during a wave of unrest, intensifying fears within Bangladesh’s media community.
Claims Of Student Movement Involvement Denied
The visitors reportedly identified themselves as members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, a group that spearheaded last year’s mass protests. However, the organisation has strongly denied any involvement.
Its president, Rifat Rashid, said those responsible did not represent the movement and stressed that such acts were against its principles. He added that disciplinary action would be taken if any members were found to be involved.
Political Tensions Behind Threats
The incident occurred amid renewed unrest following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a controversial youth leader known for his anti-India stance. The violence that followed his death has included attacks on media houses, accused by some groups of biased or insufficient coverage.
According to Munni, the youths accused Global TV of failing to adequately cover Hadi’s death and claimed that she was aligned with the Awami League, allegations she has not publicly responded to.
Munni later told Prothom Alo that she was not present during the confrontation. She said the youths met Global TV’s managing director and demanded a written commitment that she would be removed from her post within 48 hours.
When the management refused, the visitors allegedly issued a stark warning, claiming that even major newspapers like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star had been unable to resist them, and that Global TV would face the same fate if their demand was ignored.