Dbarta24 Desk- A growing climate of fear is pushing a significant portion of Bangladeshi journalists into silence on social media platforms, forcing them to self-censor even on critical public interest topics.
Concerns over organized online harassment, political backlash, and threats to personal safety have led many reporters to withdraw from digital discourse entirely, according to a recent study.
The findings were highlighted in the first phase of the ‘Expression Pulse’ survey conducted by Dataful, a non-governmental organization focused on data journalism.
The survey, administered between August 10 and August 25, assessed the digital expression experiences of 22 working journalists over the preceding six months.
Widespread Silence on Critical Issues
Out of the 22 media professionals surveyed, 18 admitted that they abstained from sharing their views online regarding public interest matters over the past six months due to fear of potential repercussions. Among them, 13 noted that this self-imposed silence was a frequent occurrence.
Furthermore, 19 respondents stated that they now deliberately avoid engaging in discussions surrounding sensitive topics such as politics, government criticism, religion, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign affairs, and high-profile criminal cases like rape.
The survey reveals a dramatic shift in how comfortable media workers feel on digital platforms.
Fifteen participants reported feeling less comfortable expressing their views on social media compared to six months ago, with nine indicating a sharp decline in their level of comfort.
The Prevalence of the ‘Chilling Effect’
The study underscores a powerful “chilling effect”—a phenomenon where witnessing the harassment or targeting of peers deters individuals from exercising their own freedom of speech.
When asked whether online attacks on fellow journalists influenced their own decision to speak out, all 21 journalists who answered the question confirmed that it directly impacted their behavior.
From Virtual Trolling to Real-World Repercussions
The anxieties expressed by respondents extend far beyond routine internet trolling or account hacking. Journalists cited fears of coordinated online harassment campaigns, doxxing, defamation, workplace pressure, legal troubles, and political retaliation.
Crucially, these digital risks are spilling over into physical reality. Multiple participants expressed grave concerns over physical safety—not just for themselves, but for their families.
Thirteen journalists acknowledged that the fear of adverse consequences has transcended personal social media use, directly hampering their professional journalistic output and reporting duties.