2 journalists sued under ICT act

Two journalists were sued under Section 57 of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act in Narayanganj on Sunday.

They are Shahjahan Shamim, editor-in-chief of www.newsnarayanganj24.net, and Tanvir Hossain, executive editor of the news portal.

Sayem Ahmed, a local businessman, filed the case with Narayanganj Model Police Station, alleging that the news portal tarnished his image by publishing a fake news item.

Police, however, say Sayem is accused in a number of cases, including abduction, attempted murder, and extortion, filed with different police stations in the district.

Abdur Razzak, officer-in-charge (investigation) of the police station, said Sayem sought help from the court to file the case, and they took the lawsuit on the court's directive.

Asked whether they talked to the police headquarters before taking the case, the OC replied in the positive.

"We are investigating the case," he added.

Talking to this newspaper, Sayem said, "The news portal published a false, baseless and defamatory report about me on December 26. It tarnished my image in the society, and hurt my family and business." 

Shahjahan Shamim, also a filmmaker, however, said, "The news item was based on facts. We also mentioned Sayem's quote in that."

"There are many allegations against him [Sayem]. We hope that truth will be revealed if the administration investigates the matter properly,” he said.

Local journalists condemned the case filing.

There has been a widespread criticism against Section 57 of the ICT act and rights activists and journalists have been critical of the controversial section from the very beginning. They say the section goes against the people's right to freedom of expression and free speech as it contains vague wording, allowing its misuse against newsmen and social media users.

Around 300 cases were lodged under the section in the first seven months of last year. More than two dozen journalists were sued and several of them were arrested.

The debate over the section and demands for its repeal intensified following the arrest of veteran journalist Probir Sikdar in 2015. The journalist was arrested and sent to jail after he posted a status on Facebook.

Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque on August 2 last year instructed all police stations to consult the legal wing at the police headquarters before registering any case under the section.

The ruling Awami League had also directed its activists to take permission from its central unit before filing any case under the section.

On November 29 last year, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu told reporters that section 57 and other controversial provisions of the ICT act would be removed as the draft of the Digital Security Act was finalised.