The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and ARTICLE 19 have expressed grave concern over violent attacks on leading Bangladeshi media houses and cultural institutions following recent unrest in the capital.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it is alarmed by reports that crowds vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, trapping journalists inside before they were rescued. In a statement on Friday, CPJ said it is monitoring the situation closely and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and news outlets and to hold those responsible accountable. CPJ also shared safety guidance for journalists covering political rallies and protests, outlining measures to reduce risks in situations involving crowd violence.

Meanwhile, ARTICLE 19 strongly condemned the attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, the assault on New Age Editor and Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir, and vandalism of the cultural institution Chhayanaut.

ARTICLE 19 said the violence erupted on Thursday, December 18, in the aftermath of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure of the July 2024 uprising and convenor of Inqilab Moncho. The organisation noted that both Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have faced sustained threats from extremist groups in recent times.

According to multiple reports, mobs vandalised and torched the Prothom Alo building in Karwan Bazar before attacking the Daily Star office in Farmgate, where staff were trapped until firefighters and security personnel intervened. Both newspapers were forced to suspend their Friday print and online editions.

ARTICLE 19 said the attacks reflect a growing climate of impunity and urged the interim government to ensure immediate protection for media and cultural institutions, deploy adequate security, and take swift legal action against the perpetrators to safeguard freedom of expression ahead of the 2026 national elections.