Media: The constitution provides for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and according to Freedom House 2011, the media environment remained relatively open throughout the year of 2010, despite some signs of intolerance by the government. The Bertelsmann Foundation 2010 also reports that both print and electronic media are diverse and vibrant. Tight media constraints were put in place during the military-backed interim government's state of emergency. Nevertheless, in September 2008, the interim government passed the Right to Information Ordinance 2008, granting journalists and citizens increased access to information. Using the Right to Information Ordinance as a foundation, the current government passed the Right to Information Act 2009 (view a summary of the Right to Information Act 2009) in March 2009, which should allow civil society and the press to play a better role in ensuring government transparency and accountability. Some privately owned newspapers write critical articles on government policies and activities, although persecution of journalists and self-censorship is not uncommon. In 2010, there have been over a hundred reports of journalists being attacked, threatened, assaulted and injured, and two journalists were killed, as reported in Global Integrity 2010. Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks Bangladesh 126th out of 178 countries, while the Freedom of the Press Index 2011 ranks the country 112nd out of 196 countries and describes its press environment as 'partly free'.

Civil Society: Freedom of association is constitutionally provided for and this right is generally respected. Under the emergency regulations of the interim government, freedoms of assembly and association were suspended and all political activity was banned, including indoor meetings, marches, and rallies. With the return to a civilian government, operational conditions for civil society have normalised. Numerous NGOs operate in Bangladesh, and the country has a strong tradition of private initiatives for humanistic and voluntary work for people's welfare, according to Transparency International Bangladesh Report on NGO Governance 2008. Global Integrity 2010 reports that NGOs and CSOs promoting good governance and anti-corruption face difficulties or harassment in becoming registered. According to Freedom House 2011, the organisations that focus on sensitive political and religious topics do so at some risk. NGOs that are critical of the government and those that deal with human rights issues are under supervision from the authorities and are subject to harassment.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB): TIB is a local chapter of Transparency International. TIB conducts campaigns, issues reports, and conducts awareness-raising in relation to corruption. TIB also carries out research on corruption and publishes surveys and analyses of corruption in various sectors in Bangladesh. TIB was on occasion consulted by the interim government, for instance in connection with reviewing the Public Procurement Act 2006. In November 2007, TIB hosted the South Asia regional workshop on transparency and integrity in the water sector and it held three seminars around Bangladesh at the end of 2008 on corruption in public administration. The TIB has catalysed or been directly involved in a number of key institutional and policy changes, including the reform of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the ratification of the UNCAC, the adoption of the Right to Information Act, and most recently, the TIB has also worked with the Ministry of Law regarding the drafting of the Whistle-blower Protection Act. Click here to read TIB Annual Report 2010.

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI): The BEI promotes issues of importance to the private sector and seeks to influence policy for the development of a market-oriented economy. It is a project-oriented institute that works with projects to promote transparency and fight corruption. The BEI publishes newsletters and annual reports that can be accessed on its website.