Bangladesh advances 16 notches in a year on press freedom index

Bangladesh has advanced 16 notches in the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) in a year due to the absence of government interference in the media, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam has said.

He said this today (Friday) while talking on Bangladesh's position in the WPFI published on the website of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), according to a press release signed by Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Mamun Or Rashid.

Referring to the interim government's initiatives to establish media freedom, the adviser said that all media outlets in the country, including Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, are now free from government influence.

According to a BSS report, Mahfuj Alam said the government is not interfering in any media organisation by making telephone calls.

The government has already taken several initiatives to free and strengthen the country's media, he said, adding that Bangladesh's 16-place advancement in the WPFI proves that the government is working to free and strengthen the country's media.

Mahfuj Alam said that several reform activities will be undertaken very soon as per the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission.

The adviser expressed the hope that Bangladesh will move a few steps further in the WPFI next year and the rights of the country's journalists and media professionals will be protected.

Bangladesh has been ranked 149th out of 180 countries in the WPFI-2025, published on the website of the Paris-based organisation RSF on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

Bangladesh’s rank was 165th in the index last year.

Neighbouring India is staying two places below Bangladesh’s position in the index this year, securing 151st place.

When the Awami League government took office in 2009, Bangladesh’s position was 121st in the index.

During the Awami League's rule, Bangladesh has slipped 44 places in the index in the last 15 years.