Geneva: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and press freedom organisation, has condemned the killing of a journalist in Bangladesh and urged authorities in Dhaka to conduct a fair and credible investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Reacting to local media reports about the fatal shooting of Lutfuzzaman Fakir Alif in Netrakona on October 15, the PEC called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure a thorough probe and appropriate legal action against those responsible.
Alif, 45, worked as the Netrakona correspondent for Rupashi Bangla, an internet protocol television (IPTV) channel. He was known for his investigative reporting on corruption, irregularities and alleged criminal activities involving influential individuals, which reportedly exposed him to threats and hostility.
A native of Sunai village in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona district, Alif is survived by his wife, two young children and other family members.
“We demand a fair probe and necessary legal action against the murderers. Lutfuzzaman Fakir Alif faced another attack in November 2025 but survived. However, the perpetrators of that attack are yet to be identified, let alone punished,” said Blaise Lempen, PEC president.
Lempen added that Alif was the 56th media professional killed worldwide this year, according to the organisation’s tally.
PEC Flags Journalist Killings Across Asia
Nava Thakuria, the PEC’s representative for South and Southeast Asia, said Bangladesh had lost another journalist to violence nine months earlier, when Rana Pratap Bairagi of Dainik BD Khabar was killed.
Thakuria also highlighted journalist killings reported in neighbouring India and Pakistan since January 1, 2026. The victims named by the PEC included Jaganmohan Reddy of ABN Andhra Jyothy in India, and Lala Israfil Khan of HUM News and Nazar Muhammad Kanrani in Pakistan.
The Philippines has also witnessed the killings of four journalists this year, according to the PEC: Julio Calo of DNN News FM, RJ Nichole Ledesma of Paghimutad-Negros, Nestor Micator of Empire Radio Station, and Adrian Loterte of RBN, Daraga.
The PEC reiterated its call for credible investigations into attacks on journalists and accountability for those responsible, stressing the need to protect media professionals and uphold press freedom.
