The Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BaSD) on Saturday condemned a series of alleged death threats against digital media outlet Dhaka Papers and one of its journalists, calling on the government to identify and arrest those responsible.

BaSD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz said in a statement that Dhaka Papers junior producer and Dhaka University student Md Razekuzzaman Jewel had received threats following the publication of analytical explainer videos on the outlet’s Facebook page.

According to the statement, an account posted abusive comments containing death threats under two Dhaka Papers videos on September 30.

Two days later, on Friday, Jewel allegedly received voice messages on his personal Facebook Messenger account containing abusive language and threats to kill him.

“This is a cowardly threat to free thought, intellectual practice, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and independent journalism,” Firoz said. “It cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”

He alleged that an extremist religious group was seeking to create an atmosphere of intimidation through threats and mob violence to restrict free expression and silence the media.

Firoz also referred to previous attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and Udichi, arguing that failure to prosecute and punish those responsible had encouraged further acts of intimidation.

He said threatening journalists over analytical content — including explainers examining how extremism develops and discussions of history and free thought — represented an attack on independent journalism and democratic rule of law.

According to the statement, Dhaka Papers has filed a general diary with Gulshan Police Station and is preparing further legal action.

Firoz urged the authorities to identify and arrest those responsible, naming Facebook account holders Md Babu Khan and Ayyub Ahmad and calling for investigators to identify anyone else involved.

He also called on the government to ensure the safety of Jewel and other members of the Dhaka Papers team.

“Independent journalism and the advancement of progressive thought cannot be stopped through intimidation, threats or the cultivation of extremism,” Firoz said.

He urged political parties, organisations, students, workers and media professionals to oppose threats and intimidation directed at journalists and freedom of expression.

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