Staff Reporter :
A recent survey conducted by Voice of America Bangla has revealed that over sixty percent of Bangladeshis believe that freedom of expression has improved under the interim government, compared to the previous Awami League era.
The survey, which was conducted between October 13 and 27, 2024, involved 1,000 participants aged 18 and above from all eight divisions of the country.
According to the survey, 61.2% of respondents felt that media freedom has seen a significant improvement under the current interim government. This marks a sharp contrast with the perception during the tenure of the Awami League, which has faced criticism for restrictive media policies and repressive laws.
The findings also show that 57.1% of younger participants (aged 18-34) and 63.8% of those aged 35 and above observed an increase in freedom of expression. However, a portion of the population, 25.2%, felt that the situation remained unchanged under the interim government.
Only 14.2% of participants believed that freedom of expression had declined, while a minimal 0.2% chose not to comment.
Interestingly, urban respondents were more optimistic, with 73.8% of city dwellers seeing increased freedom, compared to 57.1% in rural areas.
Additionally, 68.2% of male respondents, as opposed to 54.2% of female respondents, reported a greater sense of press freedom under the current administration.
The survey’s findings are timely, as the interim government has recently made significant strides in improving press freedom. In September, the government formed a Media Reform Commission to ensure an unhindered press environment.
The repeal of the controversial Digital Security Act last year, replaced with the Cyber Security Act, marked an important step. However, the Cyber Security Act faced strong criticism from various stakeholders, including journalists.
In response, the interim government has announced plans to repeal the Cyber Security Act and withdraw cases filed under it. The government has assured that individuals arrested under the law will be released through the legal process, further indicating its commitment to ensuring greater media freedom.
In a separate part of the survey, respondents were asked about their views on the political future of the Awami League. While 57% of the participants favored allowing the Awami League to continue political activities, 35.5% supported banning the party. Notably, 39.9% of younger respondents (18-34 years old) were more inclined to support a ban on the party.
Further, a substantial 54.1% of those who favored banning the Awami League advocated for a permanent ban. Other respondents suggested varying lengths for the ban, with 15.2% supporting a ban of over 10 years, 8.9% for a ban lasting 5-10 years, and 11.2% recommending a ban of 1-5 years.
While the survey reveals growing optimism regarding freedom of expression, it contrasts with Bangladesh’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.
The country was ranked 165th in the 2024 index, its lowest since the index’s inception in 2002. Over the past 15 years under Awami League rule, Bangladesh dropped 44 positions, primarily due to factors such as repressive laws, partisan media control, and censorship.
The findings of this survey offer valuable insight into public opinion on the state of freedom of expression in Bangladesh and the political landscape under the current interim government.
As the nation moves forward, public sentiment remains divided on the future of political parties, but there is a clear call for greater media independence and protection of fundamental freedoms.
