On September 4, at least 28 journalists were among 109 people from Chittagong City accused in a case including charges of abduction, assault, and the publication of misinformation surrounding recent protests across Bangladesh.

Hasina Mamtaz, a teacher at a girls' high school in Mohara, Chittagong city in Bangladesh, filed the case to the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation's Chittagong Metropolitan Unit to investigate the allegations. Mamtaz alleges that the journalists disseminated false and misleading content, which obscured the true events of the student movement instead of delivering objective reports.

The leaders of eight journalist organisations addressed the case in a joint statement on September 5, claiming that its registration was driven by an attempt to discredit the press. The statement called for the immediate removal of journalists' names from the case, condemning their inclusion as tantamount to harassment.

Since the onset of violence during the university students’ movement in Bangladesh, the media has faced intense violence. At least four journalists have been killed, with attacks, injuries, and harassment rife.

The BMSF said:“BMSF is continuously protesting strongly the mass case made against the journalist community and leaders. BMSF demands the interim government take steps so that fair investigations can be conducted in all cases. We feel journalists are being criminalized in Bangladesh, and this cannot be allowed to continue and must stop immediately.”

The IFJ said:“The IFJ expresses deep concern over police investigations into 28 journalists, especially in the aftermath of incredible violence against Bangladesh’s media community. Authorities must ensure that any investigations are conducted fairly, transparently and follow due process.”