Threats and Vulnerabilities Faced by Investigative Crime Reporters: An Exploratory Study in Tangail

Bangladesh has been ranked above 100 and around 150 in the Press Freedom Index in recent years, ‎indicating that journalists in Bangladesh face significant challenges in their ability to work independently. This ‎study analyses the threats and vulnerabilities faced by investigative crime reporters in Tangail district of ‎Bangladesh. The study aims to examine the types, causes, and impacts of threats and vulnerabilities faced by ‎investigative crime reporters and identify measures to reduce them. The study analysed data from 39 ‎journalists using quantitative methods. The study found that crime reporters work under intense political ‎pressure, with 94.9% of respondents identifying political threats as a major challenge. 97.4% reported that ‎attempts were made to suppress their freedom of expression. Economic insecurity exacerbates this ‎vulnerability, with 43.6% of journalists earning less than 10,000 taka (below 100 dollars) per month, leaving ‎many vulnerable to external influence. Additional risks include legal harassment, intimidation by criminal ‎groups, and professional marginalization. This study found that while journalists are particularly vulnerable, ‎political and mafia-related threats to their work have a disproportionate impact. These threats not only ‎endanger the safety of journalists but also undermine press freedom and democratic accountability in ‎Bangladesh.‎