Challenges to Press Freedom in Bangladesh

Abstract

The present research aims to explore the situation of Press Freedom in Bangladesh. Theoretical framework of the study is based on hierarchical model of Reese and Shoemaker (2007) regarding organizational influences on media. Qualitative research technique was applied to conduct the study. Ten Journalists from Bangladesh were interviewed to create a better understanding of the influence of pressure groups on situation of press freedom. The analysis of the interviews showed that the journalists were facing many problems from the following pressure groups such as advertisers, criminal mafia, establishment, government, media ownership, political pressure, religious extremists group, self-censorship, society, press laws and prosecution. These factor created enough challenges for the free press in Bangladesh.