It is the responsibility of the state, in particular the government, to create a congenial atmosphere for the media to flourish in its role against corruption, Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said yesterday.

"Instead, what we can see is different kinds of pressure on media, especially in recent times," he told a discussion marking International Anti-Corruption Day.

"We want to remind the government that this is not permissible according to the [country's] constitution," he added.

TIB arranged the discussion at its office in the capital's Dhanmondi.

Iftekharuzzaman also said the government has its pledge to create a favourable atmosphere for investigative journalism against corruption.

According to a TIB paper that was presented during the discussion, investigative journalism in Bangladesh has been facing various challenges.

Such challenges included "controlled marketplace" and influence of corporate capital, political culture, state laws and policy frameworks, self-censorship, lack of willingness

within the institution, lack of capacity, and insecurity.

Citing an Article 19 report, TIB said at least 265 journalists came under various types of attack in Bangladesh last year. Of those, 16.32 percent were instances of physical attack.

Besides, 71.95 percent of journalists and rights activists were victims of different legal challenges.

During the programme, the graft watchdog awarded eight journalists and one television documentary programme with the "Investigative Journalism Awards-2021". Among them, two were camerapersons and six were reporters from different print and electronic media outlets at national and local levels.

Marking International Anti-Corruption Day, TIB has been recognising journalists with the "Investigative Journalism Awards" since 1999. This year, 71 investigative reports, in total, were submitted in six different categories.

On the occasion of international anti-corruption day, TIB also arranged a weeklong "anti-corruption cartoon exhibition" that started yesterday.