Bangladesh Advances on Press Freedom Index Due to Lack of Govt Interference

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuz Alam has stated that due to the absence of government interference in the media, Bangladesh has advanced 16 positions in the World Press Freedom Index in just one year. He stated that media outlets, including Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, operate independently without influence from government authorities now.

"No government official is calling media houses to exert control," he said, adding that the government has already implemented several initiatives to support a free and strong press. "Our improvement in the index is proof of that effort," he added.

He made these remarks in response to Bangladesh’s position in the World Press Freedom Index.

Commenting on future reforms, the adviser mentioned that, based on the Media Reform Commission's recommendations, further measures would be introduced soon to safeguard journalists' rights and improve Bangladesh's global standing even more.

Notably, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the Paris-based organisation Reporters Without Borders published the 2025 World Press Freedom Index on its website. Out of 180 countries, Bangladesh ranks 149th this year. In the May 2024 edition, Bangladesh was ranked 165th. According to the report, Bangladesh scored 33.71 out of 100 this year in terms of press freedom, compared to 27.64 last year.

Despite this year's gains, Bangladesh has seen an overall decline since 2009, when the Awami League assumed power and the country held the 121st position, down 44 places over 15 years.

Notably, neighbouring India ranks two spots lower than Bangladesh at 151st in the 2025 index.