The International Press Institute (IPI) expresses alarm about last night’s attack and vandalization of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo buildings, which endangered the lives of more than two dozen journalists. IPI calls on authorities to act quickly to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these attacks.
On the night of December 18, hundreds of protestors attacked, vandalized, and set fire to the Dhaka offices of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, two of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers, trapping journalists and media workers inside for hours before they were rescued by members of the army and fire department.
The attacks on the Daily Star and Prothom Alo occurred amid a night of widespread unrest in Bangladesh following the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, days after he was shot in Dhaka. Hadi was a key figure in the student-led protest movement that triggered the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Political tensions have been on the rise as Bangladesh prepares for elections in February 2026 – the first since Hasina’s departure.
As a result of the extensive damage to their buildings, both newspapers were forced to temporarily pause operations, the Daily Star for the first time in 35 years, and Prothom Alo for the first time in 27 years.
“It is one of the darkest days for independent journalism in Bangladesh,” the Daily Star said in a statement condemning the arson attacks. In the statement, the Daily Star also called on authorities to step up protections for the media, noting the Daily Star and Prothom Alo have faced repeated threats in the past.
“Last night’s arson attacks on two of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers are a direct attack on press freedom, and by extension, democracy itself,” said IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette. “IPI is deeply concerned this episode of violence will further erode the environment for free media in Bangladesh, which was already under threat before the events of last night. We call on authorities to act quickly to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these horrendous attacks and make clear that those responsible for attacks on independent media will be held accountable.”