Bangladesh’s Rise in Press Freedom Rankings: Hope or Illusion?

IPW Analysis: Nov. 13, 2025.

Bangladesh has climbed 16 places in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index from 165th under Sheikh Hasina’s government to 149th under the current administration. On paper, it looks like a welcome turnaround. But a closer look suggests the improvement, while real, is fragile and far from a full recovery.

RSF’s index measures much more than government control. It assesses the safety of journalists, legal protections, media independence, and the broader information environment. A better ranking can signal progress, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the press is free to operate without fear or pressure.

The recent improvement must also be seen in context. In 2021, Bangladesh ranked 152nd; in 2022, it slipped to 162nd. Now, at 149, the country’s position has improved, but only slightly compared with its standing four years ago. The change marks a rebound, not a transformation.

Part of the shift in 2025 may reflect how the world saw Bangladesh during a turbulent year of student protests. Journalists covering those events faced attacks and injuries, highlighting both the continuing dangers of reporting and the heightened global attention that followed. The ranking, in that sense, captures the turbulence as much as the progress.

Still, the rise should not be dismissed. Between 2018 and 2023, the country’s media environment deteriorated sharply under the Digital Security Act (DSA) and related repression, reaching its lowest point in 2024. The 2025 ranking shows a degree of recovery, with fewer arbitrary arrests and a slightly more open public sphere.

Historically, Bangladesh’s best ranking came early in the Awami League’s tenure, around 2009–2011, before a steady decline. Today’s partial rebound offers cautious optimism — but only if it is followed by structural reforms. Repealing repressive laws, protecting journalists from violence, and ensuring editorial independence will determine whether this progress lasts.

Numbers alone cannot define press freedom. True progress will come when Bangladeshi journalists can report without fear — and citizens can trust that the truth will not depend on politics.