Staff Reporter :
Nearly nine out of ten journalists expect to face physical violence while covering the upcoming national elections, and more than three-quarters anticipate verbal harassment and intimidation, according to a new study by Digitally Right.
The research highlights a steep rise in both physical and digital threats, with female journalists reporting disproportionately higher risks.
Digitally Right’s Managing Director Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury presented the study, “High Risk, Low Preparedness: Journalist Safety in the 2026 Election,” at a discussion held on Saturday.
The study surveyed 201 journalists across 19 districts and conducted 10 in-depth interviews.
An overwhelming 89% of respondents said they fear physical attacks or assault during election-related coverage.
Additionally, 76% reported verbal harassment, while 71% cited intimidation as a major concern.
Threat levels were even higher for female journalists – 50% fear sexual harassment and 40% fear sexual assault while reporting on election events.
The study also points to rising digital dangers.
About 75% of journalists believe they or their media outlets could be targeted through disinformation campaigns, and 65% fear hacking attempts.
Female journalists expressed heightened fears of online harassment and surveillance.
More than half of all respondents worry that coordinated smear campaigns could be used to undermine their credibility and damage their professional standing.
Findings show that most media organisations remain ill-prepared to deal with these threats.
Only 24% of respondents said they received any safety equipment or training from their employers, while 77% reported that their workplaces lack clear digital safety policies.
More than 90% identified political parties and activists as the main sources of physical threats. Female and regional journalists additionally pointed to law enforcement agencies and extremist religious groups as significant risks.
Journalists warned that political labelling, rising public distrust of the media, extremism, mob violence, weak law enforcement, and targeted disinformation against reporters could further escalate threats ahead of the election.
The report calls for long-term physical and digital safety training, structured newsroom safety protocols, gender-responsive protection measures, and better access to emergency and legal support.
Speaking at the discussion, Reaz Ahmad, Editor of the Dhaka Tribune, said, “Media owners remain indifferent to the physical safety of reporters, despite knowing the risks.
As a result, professional journalists are often left to safeguard themselves.”
Editors and senior journalists from major media outlets – including The Business Standard, Times of Bangladesh, AFP, New Age, Samakal, Jamuna TV, bdnews24.com, RTV, and Ekattor Television – joined the event.
Maria Peterson, Asia Project Coordinator at the Foyo Media Institute, attended the discussion virtually.
