In a shocking escalation of violence against press freedom, journalist Trina Roy Choudhury has reportedly received public threats of gang rape and physical harm from Islamist extremists following her investigative reports on atrocities committed against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
According to verified social media posts and eyewitness accounts, Editor-in-Chief Prometheus Choudhury of The News the digital platform where Trina works was physically assaulted earlier this week by a group allegedly linked to extremist elements attempting to intimidate the newsroom into silence.
The attacks come in the wake of a series of hard-hitting investigative reports by The News, exposing targeted violence, forced conversions, and temple desecrations in multiple districts. These reports, backed by visual evidence and survivor testimonies, have drawn widespread attention both domestically and internationally.
Threats and Intimidation
Trina Roy Choudhury, a senior journalist known for her fearless fact-based reporting, has become a primary target of online hate campaigns. Extremist accounts have openly issued rape and death threats on social media platforms, vowing retaliation for her coverage of anti-Hindu hate crimes.
Despite repeated complaints, no significant law enforcement action has reportedly been taken yet. Human rights observers have expressed alarm over the lack of protection for journalists, warning that such threats could embolden radical elements further.
Assault on the Editor
Prometheus Choudhury, founder and editor of The News, was attacked outside the publication’s office premises by a group of unidentified men. Witnesses report that he was beaten and verbally abused, with assailants warning him to “stop publishing against Islam.”
He has since filed a police complaint, urging authorities to ensure the safety of his staff and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Global Reactions
Press freedom advocates, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the threats and assault, calling it a grave attack on journalistic independence.
Several rights groups have urged the government to take immediate action to identify the attackers, ensure protection for The News team, and uphold freedom of expression.
The News has become a prominent voice for documenting religious persecution and minority rights abuses in the region. Its reports have drawn both acclaim and controversy, with extremist groups accusing the platform of “anti-Islamic bias,” despite its insistence on factual, evidence-based journalism.
As intimidation intensifies, journalists across South Asia fear an increasing culture of silence and fear, where truth-telling can invite deadly consequences.
