Survey Warns of Rising Physical and Digital Threats for Journalists in 2026 Election
Research organization Digitally Right has warned that journalists covering the 13th national election may face increased digital harassment alongside physical threats. The concern was highlighted in its newly released study titled “High Risk, Low Preparedness: Journalist Safety in the 2026 Election.”
The report is based on a survey of 201 journalists across 19 districts and 10 in-depth interviews.
According to the findings, journalists fear both physical threats and a significant rise in digital harassment during election coverage. About 75% of respondents believe that they or their media outlets could be targeted with disinformation campaigns. Sixty-five percent identified hacking as a major risk. Female journalists expressed heightened concern over online harassment and surveillance.
More than half of the respondents also believe they may face defamatory campaigns aimed at undermining their credibility.
A staggering 89% of surveyed journalists fear physical attacks or assault during election reporting. Seventy-six percent cited verbal harassment, and 71% viewed intimidation as a major threat. Risks were even higher for women journalists, of whom 50% feared sexual harassment and 40% feared sexual assault.
Most media outlets lack adequate mechanisms to address these risks. The survey indicates that there is no designated person or structural system in most newsrooms to manage safety concerns. Only 24% of respondents received safety equipment or training from their employers, while 77% said their organizations do not have a digital security policy.
Over 90% of respondents identified political parties and activists as the primary sources of physical threat. Female and regional journalists also cited law enforcement agencies and extremist religious groups as significant risks.
Journalists believe that political labeling, declining trust in the media, extremism, mob violence, weak law enforcement, and disinformation targeting journalists are key factors contributing to heightened risks in the upcoming election.
The study recommends several measures to strengthen journalist safety during the election, including long-term physical and digital security training, adoption and enforcement of clear newsroom safety protocols, gender-sensitive protection mechanisms, and expanded access to emergency and legal support.
The core findings of the research were presented by Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Digitally Right, at a roundtable discussion held on Saturday, 6 December, at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka, attended by editors and senior journalists.
Participants included Dhaka Tribune Editor Riaz Ahmed, Times of Bangladesh Editor M Abul Kalam Azad, AFP Bureau Chief Sheikh Sabiha Alam, Samakal Associate Editor Zakir Hossain, Jamuna Television Assignment Editor Roksana Anjuman Nikol, New Age Chief Reporter Mustafizur Rahman, BDNews Chief Reporter Jahidul Kabir, RTV Chief News Editor Ilias Hossain, and Ekattor TV Special Correspondent Shahnaz Sharmin. Maria Peterson, Asia Project Coordinator of Foyo Media Institute, joined the discussion online.
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