Bangladesh, Nov. 20 -- Being a journalist in many parts of the world has become far more than a challenging occupation—it has become a high-risk profession under assault from state power, armed conflict, economic pressure, and the erosion of institutional protections. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 361 journalists were imprisoned and 124 were killed globally at the end of 2024, one of the highest figures since they began tracking the data. Meanwhile, in its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) flagged 34 countries where mass closures of media outlets, the exile of journalists, and systemic repression were escalating.

The persecution of journalists is not simply an assault on indi...