The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has condemned the killing of a journalist and attacks on newspaper offices in Bangladesh, and urged the caretaker government in Dhaka to ensure the safety of media workers across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the media safety and rights body expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation following recent unrest. The condemnation follows the killing of digital media editor Imdadul Haque Milon and mob attacks on the Dhaka offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on Thursday night.

Milon, 45, who worked with the online news portal Bartaman Somoy, was attacked by four armed assailants on motorcycles at Shalua market on the evening of December 18. He was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital with serious injuries and was declared dead on arrival. Milon was also an office bearer of the Shalua Press Club.

Press Emblem Campaign said Milon is the 163rd journalist killed worldwide this year and the fifth media fatality reported in Bangladesh in 2025, following the deaths of Assaduzzaman Tuhin, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu and Khandahar Shah Alam.

The organisation also criticised the vandalism and arson attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star while journalists and staff were inside the buildings. The attacks disrupted operations and forced both newspapers to miss their Friday editions. PEC further condemned the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir, who was injured while attempting to stop the attackers along with other media professionals.

“We strongly condemn the killing of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon and the attacks on leading newspapers in Dhaka,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC. He described the incidents as a direct assault on press freedom and called on the authorities to provide effective protection to media organisations, particularly in the run-up to Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for February 12, 2026.

PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria said the violence escalated after interim government chief Muhammad Yunus confirmed the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore, where he had been taken for advanced treatment after being shot in Dhaka. Hadi had gained prominence during last year’s student-led protests that led to the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who later left the country.

According to PEC, Professor Yunus has since spoken to the editors of the affected newspapers and assured them of support and security assistance. The organisation, however, stressed that sustained measures are needed to protect journalists and media institutions amid continuing political volatility.

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