Parliamentary committee proposes 11 changes

A parliamentary standing committee yesterday at a meeting with Editors' Council, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists and Association of Television Channel Owners submitted an 11-point change in the Digital Security Bill-2018 for their consideration.

Accepting the proposals, representatives of the three organisations said they will share their opinion on the changes later, following discussions in their respective organisations.

The parliamentary standing committee on post, telecom and ICT yesterday set July 16 to further discuss with Editors' Council, BFUJ and ATCO on the much-debated bill.

The committee earlier invited president and general secretary of Editors' Council and BFUJ and president and senior vice president of ATCO for the second time to a meeting to hear their views on the proposed Digital Security Act.

Mahfuz Anam, general secretary of Editors' Council, also editor and publisher of The Daily Star; BFUJ President Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul and ATCO senior Vice President Mozammel Babu were present at the meeting.

Awami League MP Imran Ahmed, chief of the parliamentary standing committee, chaired the meeting.

Lawmaker Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia was also present.

Law Minister Anisul Huq and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar attended the meeting on invitation.

Emerging from the meeting, Anisul Huq told reporters that the committee brought changes in the bill, which was necessary as per the proposals of Editors' Council, BFUJ and ATCO.

“The three organisations will discuss about the changes in their forums and will come up with their opinions before the parliamentary committee on July 16,” he added.

Mahfuz Anam told reporters that they were not ready to give their views on the changes as it was submitted to them instantly in the meeting.

The Digital Security Bill, 2018 was placed in parliament on April 9 amid growing concerns from journalists and rights activists that freedom of the press and expression would be put to the sword if the bill was passed.

The committee has been given four weeks to place its report before the House following scrutiny of the bill. The House on June 7 extended the time by two months.

Earlier on May 22, Editors' Council, an organisation of editors of the country's national dailies; ATCO and BFUJ in their maiden meeting with the parliamentary standing committee voiced concern over section 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, and 43 of the proposed law, saying these would greatly hamper the freedom of speech and independent journalism.

They also unanimously said several sections in the proposed law have ambiguity and loopholes, which should be addressed. Otherwise, there will be ample scope for its misuse.