The two-day 10th Annual Conference of the Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN), Bangladesh, began in Dhaka on Friday with a strong call to ensure the safety and security of journalists as a foundation for promoting ethical journalism in the country.
The Department of Media and Mass Communication at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in collaboration with DW Akademie, German Cooperation, and CJEN, is hosting the event on the university campus.
Over 100 academics, researchers, journalists, and students are participating in what is considered the largest gathering of journalism educators in Bangladesh.
On the opening day, several research papers were presented, including one titled “Safety and Security of Journalists in Bangladesh” by Mahamudul Haque, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.
Presenting his findings from interviews with 518 journalists across the country, Mahamudul revealed that 37.5 percent of journalists had experienced physical assault at least once in connection with their professional work.
Besides, 65.6 percent faced threats, 22.4 percent were victims of robbery or snatching, 78.7 percent reported mental harassment, and 52.3 percent had suffered from cyberbullying.
The study also found that 36.7 percent of respondents reported police harassment or intimidation, while 69.3 percent experienced broader forms of threat, fear, or harassment from others.
A staggering 87.9 percent expressed ongoing anxiety about their personal safety, and 89.6 percent believed journalists in Bangladesh are exposed to multiple and overlapping security risks, according to the study.
Mahamudul, a former senior journalist, said the findings reveal “systemic vulnerabilities faced by media professionals in Bangladesh” and stressed the urgent need for robust institutional safeguards, policy interventions, and protective mechanisms to uphold journalistic freedom and security.
The inaugural session was attended by UGC Chairman Prof. Dr. Syed Muhammed Abul Faiz, AMIC Secretary-General Ramon Guillermo R. Genilo, AIUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, AIUB Trustee Board Members Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna and Istiaque Abedin, and ULAB Pro-VC and CJEN Chairman Prof. Dr. Jude William Genilo, among others.